TOWN scored four times in extra-time to clinch an FA Vase second qualifying round tie at Ryhope against a Tow Law team that finished with just eight men.

With a steady drizzle falling at the start, Tow Law were the first to show. Thomas Watkinson curled a first-minute shot just wide of Chris Taylor’s far post.

Town’s first attempt at goal came in the eighth minute when Carl Ellerton had a shot cleared off the line by Michael Hall.

There was a lucky escape for the home side when Martin Broderick was dispossessed and keeper ChrisTaylor just managed to clutch the ball as Scott Brassell slid in.

Mark Threlfall missed a golden chance before Joel Melia opened the scoring when he cracked a shot from the edge of the penalty area past David Moffatt in the Tow Law goal.

Scott Byrom skimmed Moffatt’s crossbar with a shot as Town stepped up the pressure.

Tow Law were reduced to ten men after 26 minutes when Brassell was adjudged to have made a two-footed tackle and received a red card.

Town finished the half with Melia crossing and Matthew Cavanagh seeing his header bounce off Moffatt’s chest with no-one able to take advantage.

Moffatt just managed to beat Melia to the ball at the start of the second half, while at the other end, Kalimba curled a good shot inches over Taylor’s goal.

Town continued to press for another goal, Shaun Airey having a header saved wbile Threlfall forced a good save from Moffatt

Meliua chipped a shot just wide and Cavanagh was off target with a header before Tow Law equalised with five minutes to go.

A cross found Lewis Harrison unmarked and he made no mistake.

With the match drifting into injury time, Tow Law’s Chris Killeen was dismissed for pushing Cavanagh in the face.

Town had a two-man advantage in extra time and made it count. Chris Ridehalgh restored the lead with a fierce shot after the ball found him in space in the penalty area.

Tow Law then suffered another blow as Dean Lovell had to go off with a split toe nail, so the visitors were left with just eight men.

Two minutes later Threlfall, on the ground, managed to hook a Melia cross into the net from six yards out to make the game safe. Town were now rampant, Threlfall brought another save out of Moffatt who couldn’t hold onto the ball, and Walker’s effort from the rebound hit a post.

Town netted a fourth goal when Airey’s header was touched in by Cavanagh.

The final goal came when substitute Kieran Lee burst through the centre of the Tow Law defence and was brought down by Moffatt.

The referee awarded a penalty but took no action against the player before Threlfall stepped up to score his second goal.