Norwich United

A dramatic controversial late equaliser from Jon Lovelock and an extra time winner from substitute Jordan Blyth saw the Planters progress to the semi-finals of the Ridgeons League Challenge Cup for the first time in nine years after finding themselves two goals behind at half-time.

Kieran Doherty and Jordan Blyth returned to the bench after missing last weeks trip to Felixstowe.

Despite playing against a strong wind it was the Planters who went close first after 10 minutes with Ross King heading wide from Lee Hunter's deep free kick from the penalty spot.

Clacton responded almost immediately with Billy Wales shooting wide from the the left corner of the penalty area.

Andy Key's free kick from deep on the left found Steve Shipley coming round the back but from an acute angle he shot wide.

Clacton took full advantage soon after when in the 22nd minute a throw on the right found Sean Hillier who hit a shot which found the back of the net despite the despairing best efforts of the Planters defenders.

Lee Hunter's free kick was fumbled by visiting keeper Joe Playle but the keeper was able to fall on the ball before the strikers were able to pounce.

The visitors were causing problems themselves and Ben Nower had to save Kevin Coyle's shot after the winger had cut in from the right.

The visitors did increase the lead on their next attack in the 33rd minute Dan Smith's well struck shot from outside the box flying past Nower and inside the bottom corner.

Lee Hunter had a chance to reduce the arrears just before the break but volleyed just over from 15 yards.

The Planters made two changes at half time with Doherty and Blyth being brought on and it was hoped that with the wind behind them the Planters could turn things round however it was Clacton who went close to increasing their lead when Smith volleyed narrowly wide.

Gradually the Planters applied more and more pressure and were a real threat from dead ball situations in particular. Key's deep free kick saw Martin McNeil's header saved by Playle and Hunter's free kick beat the wall but brought another save from the keeper.

In the 65th minute Nower's long punt forward fell to King in the area and his shot brought a great save from Playle but from Hunter's flag kick King reduced the arrears his header giving Playle no chance.

The Planters thought they had equalised three minutes later with the ball coming down off the crossbar but despite the protestations play was waved on.

Doherty was denied by Playle when his dipping volley was tipped over. Another Hunter corner two minutes from time saw the ball come back off the far post before being bundled over the line, but once again linesman Timothy McCreadie incurred the wrath of the Planters players.

The Planters did get their equaliser seconds later though as another dead ball was crossed to the head of Jon Lovelock who planted his header past Playle with just a minute of the 90 remaining. This time it was Clacton who were incensed with McCreadie claiming the linesman had waved his flag but the goal stood this time and the game went into extra time.

The Planters were now in the ascendancy and 10 minute into extra time Blyth's near post glancing header just eluded Shipley at the far post.

The Planters finally moved ahead in the last minute of the first period when a good move started with a strong run from Thomas Mustapha was ended by Doherty cutting the ball back to Blyth who touched home with a deft flick from close range.

Clacton now looked dead and buried and Mustapha was closest in the second period with a late shot after good work from Blyth, Doherty and King and the Planters comfortably held on to proceed into the last four.

Norwich United: Nower, Shipley, Key, Lovelock, McNeil, Jeal, L Hunter, Poppy (Doherty 46), Mustapha, King, Cutajar (Blyth 46). Unused subs: I Hunter, Bennett, Fish.

FC Clacton: Playle, Peacock, Marvell, Martin, Smith, Cripps, Coyle, Newland (Barrett 51), Wales, Hillier (Taylor 98), Condon (Andrade 80).

Referee: C Francis
Linesmen: T McCreadie & N Phillips
Attendance: 48