FULLTIME: Barnet 1 Town 1 (AET Barnet win 2-0 on penalties) (From This Is Swindon Town FC)

FULLTIME: Barnet 1 Town 1 (AET Barnet win 2-0 on penalties)

9:46pm Tuesday 22nd January 2008

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TOWN blew a one-goal lead and man advantage to crash out of the FA Cup after a humiliating penalty shootout at Underhill.

Maurice Malpas' men missed an amazing four spot-kicks in the shootout as Barnet booked their place in the fourth round against Bristol Rovers, who came through their own shootout against Premier League Fulham.

Billy Paynter's second half own goal had seen the 10-man hosts take Town into extra time.

Paynter's cool 41st minute strike gave Town a deserved half time lead in the third round replay at Barnet.

But the striker diverted Jason Puncheon's cross into his own net soon after the break.

Michael Leary was dismissed for a heavy tackle on Sofi Zaaboub midway through the second half but Town were unable to make the breakthrough.

And they paid the price in the shootout as Paynter, sub Christian Roberts, skipper Hasney Aljofree and defender Miguel Comminges all missed from 12 yards.

Barnet skipper Ismail Yakubu also missed, but subs Anthony Thomas and Joe O'Cearuill netted to win it for the League Two side.

Midfielder Michael Pook was handed his first start for Town in more than a month as Town looked to see off their lower league opponents at the second attempt.

Pook replaced Craig Easton, who was forced out by a calf strain picked up in Saturday's 2-1 league win over Nottingham Forest, in the only change by boss Maurice Malpas at Underhill.

With a healthy away following, Town started brightly with left winger Sofi Zaaboub a constant danger for League Two Barnet.

On 14 minutes the Frenchman found Billy Paynter with an inswinging cross but the former Port Vale man headed wide.

Barnet hit back with Adam Birchall bravely denied by goalkeeper Peter Brezovan after being put on clear on goal by a hopeful Barnet clearance.

With the game swinging from end to end, Zaaboub should have given Town the lead minutes later, after some clever interplay between Blair Sturrock and Paynter, but his shot cum cross was cleared off the line by Michael Leary.

The lively Zaaboub then saw his cut back from the bye line just evade the onrushing Lee Peacock, while at the other end Ismail Yakubu's header was easy for Brezovan.

Zaaboub, at the centre of all Town's best moves, then slotted Sturrock clear through on goal but his low strike was skewed wide on 19 minutes.

Cliff Akurang then thought he had won a penalty after rounding Brezovan but the referee rightly waved play on as he lost his feet on the muddy surface.

Town continued taking the game to their hosts and on 27 minutes, Zaaboub's low strike from 20 yards was just side footed wide by Lee Peacock.

Jason Puncheon then saw an audacious 45-yard volley fly just over Brezovan, while Akurang should have done better when he headed over from close range.

Town finally broke the deadlock on 41 minutes when Paynter coolly sloted home from more Zaaboub approach play.

Playing down the legendary Underhill slope in the second half, Barnet pushed forward and were almost rewarded instantly when Puncheon's cross hit Akurang yards out from goal but Comminges was able to hack clear off the line.

The equaliser did come on 53 minutes though when Puncheon's right wing cross was diverted into his own net by Billy Paynter.

Trying to make amends, Town's striker then saw three efforts hit wide in the next 10 minutes, one of which should have hit the target after racing clear on goal.

The tie erupted on 73 minutes when Michael Leary saw red for a heavy tackle on Zaaboub, which saw the wideman stretchered off to be replaced by Christian Roberts. To be fair to Leary, he did get some of the ball but tackling with two feet left the referee no choice.

Town pressed forward in search of the winner and Barry Corr was unlucky to see his strike diverted just wide on 81 minutes.

Paynter then saw a goal-bound shot from close range brilliantly blocked by goalkeeper Rob Beckwith on 87 minutes while the keeper denied Roberts minutes later.

Town: Peter Brezovan, Miguel Comminges, Jerel Ifil, Hasney Aljofree (capt), Jamie Vincent; Jon-Paul McGovern, Michael Pook, Lee Peacock, Sofiene Zaaboub, Billy Paynter, Blair Sturrock.

Substitutes: Phil Smith, Andy Nicholas, Steve Adams, Barry Corr, Christian Roberts.

Barnet: Rob Beckwith, Joe Devera, Max Porter, Kenny Gillet, Ismail Yakubu, Neal Bishop, Michael Leary, Nicky Nicolau, Jason Puncheon, Cliff Akurang, Adam Birchall.

Subs: Lee Harrison, Anthony Thomas, Giuliano Grazioli, Ian Hendon, Joe O'Cearuill.

Referee: Andy Penn

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