Carl Macauley's men were leading 1-0 and looking comfortable when Andy Fowler was fouled by Bucks' gloveman Dean Porter when through on goal, culminating in an inevitable red card for the home 'keeper after 61 minutes.

The Mariners were unable to press home their advantage, Christian Langos' shot with the last kick of the game being the only problem posed to stand in goalkeeper Sean Coulton.

Although the Whites were denied a clear penalty for a foul on Langos a foot inside the area – a free kick being awarded outside – it was the home side who finished the stronger and looked the more likely winners after Kieron Brislen had fired home a 25 yard drive in the 72nd minute, Shaun Harris almost winning it at the death for the home side with a free kick which came back off the crossbar.

Marine took the lead after 31 minutes, Danny Whitehall doing well to feed a square pass to Karl Clair, the former Liverpool midfielder hammering home from well outside the area.

Brislen's equaliser sent the tie to penalties with the first ten all being scored to take things to sudden death, with Danny Feanehough's kick down the middle kept out by Coulton leaving James McGrane the task of scoring to send Bootle through.

Bootle: Dean Porter (Cap), Mark Kilroy, Shaun Harris, Neil McQueen, Sean Coulton, Chris Tyson, James McGrane, Jamie Hay (Keiron Brislen 58), Daniel O'Connor (Paul Speed 61), Kurt Sherlock, William Smart (Steven Williams 37).

Unused subs: Tom Peterson, Michael Roberts. Cautions: Kilroy, McQueen, Coulton. Sent off: Porter.

Marine: Matt Cooper, Dan Fearnehough, James Short, Andy Nicholas (Cap), Sean Hessey, Karl Clair, Andy Fowler, Jonathan Goulding, Danny Whitehall (Matty Williams 72), Tom Owens, Christian Langos.

Unused subs: Neil Harvey, James Foley, James Mitchison (G/K). Cautions: Fowler.

Referee: Mr. J. Hunt.

Attendance: 140.