SATURDAY must have brought such a sense of déjà vu for Knutsford FC as their defence of the Cheshire Amateur Cup came to a sorry end.

They will be bidding to turn the tide and not make it three in a row this weekend.

For the second match in succession, Reds exited a knockout competition on penalties after not finishing off opponents in ties which they should have won in normal time.

Previously, Knutsford bowed out of the Cheshire League JA Walton Cup after a heartbreaking loss at home to lower division St Helens Town – they had been leading 1-0 until a 91st minute leveller and then lost the penalties 6-5 after Harrison Woolley’s poor attempt was saved.

Then on Saturday in the third round of the Cheshire Amateur Cup, Reds were beaten 4-3 on penalties at Mallaby after the game had ended 1-1.

The holders started well and dominated most of the game but struggled to find the net.

That said, Reds had three goals disallowed.

Greg Mathers had two efforts ruled out in the first half for offside decisions which the Knutsford camp considered dubious.

And late on, when it was 1-1, Brandon Blades smashed a fierce shot against the underside of the bar with the ball appearing to have crossed the line but the referee and linesman waved play on.

Knutsford’s goal that did count came in the 71st minute when Thi-Reece Lenihan got himself free in the box and found the net to the relief of the travelling supporters.

Mallaby, who generally relied on counter-attacks, went ahead in the 54th minute to upset the balance of the contest.

A deep cross from the right was bundled home at the far post, in off the post.

Knutsford: Smith, Wilbraham, Fregapane, Maunder, Brotherton, Newman, Kennedy, Mathers, Mawdsley, Draper, Cavanagh. Subs Used: Lenihan, Blades, Sheldon, Woodward, Harrison

Reds return to knockout action this Saturday when they travel to Styal in the Altrincham Senior Cup, kick-off 2pm.