AIRBUS kept their cool from the penalty spot to beat a spirited Porthmadog and book a place in round four.

The Cymru Alliance title rivals produced a thrilling cup tie in awful conditions at The Airfield, with the home side eventually holding their nerve after the tie had ended 1-1 following extra-time.

Under siege from the hosts for much of the first half, Port battled to contain a potent Airbus attack with keeper Paul Pritchard doing well to thwart several efforts on goal before Asa Hamilton’s fiercely struck effort hit the post.

But it was Port who went ahead on 32 minutes when Julian Williams fired home at the near post from Sion Edwards’ cross.

Sustained second half pressure from the hosts eventually yielded an equaliser on 75 minutes when Lewis Buckley poked home on the rebound after Leo Riley’s effort had struck the crossbar.

Influential Port midfielder Jay Gibbs was then sent off in the closing stages for a second bookable offence.

Despite the Wingmakers’ numerical advantage they were unable to conjure an extra-time winner, with Port defending superbly to force a shoot-out.

With Port’s Gruff John and Shaun Cavanagh both wayward in their attempts from the spot, Buckley netted the decisive penalty to seal a 4-2 Airbus victory.

Airbus assistant boss Andy Thomas said: “Porthmadog made it very difficult for us by sitting in, and I thought defensively they were very well-organised to frustrate us.

“But I felt we played some excellent passing football despite how bad the conditions were - it really was top drawer at times.

“They hit us with a scrappy goal but we really should have been ahead in the game before they scored.

“Even at one-down I never felt the game was beyond us, and when we went to a shoot-out I was so confident we’d win because in Dave (Roberts) we’ve got the best goalkeeper in the league.”

Port boss Craig Papirnyk hailed his side’s resilience, admitting that fine margins had decided the cup clash.

“That was a proper cup game and I thought it could’ve gone either way in normal time,” he said.

“I can’t give my lads enough credit for their performance, they showed real heart, desire and character to stay in the game with 10 men on the pitch, we had our chances to win it.

“But it wasn’t to be, all the best to Airbus in the next round.”

Llangefni Town are also into round four after they got the better of top-flight Llanelli 1-0.

Alan Mark Owen scored the only goal of the game for the Welsh Alliance outfit.

Haverfordwest County booked their place in the next round with a comfortable 3-0 home win over Pontypridd, a scoreline matched by Carmarthen Town, who triumphed against Goytre.

Llandudno avoided an upset as they beat Briton Ferry Llansawel by the odd goal in five, while Welsh Premier League side Cardiff Met are safely through after seeing off Ton Pentre 4-1.