Kirkby Stephen booked a place in the Westmorland FA Junior Cup final after they edged a see-saw contest at Braithwaite.
It was Braithwaite who took a first half lead through a header.
But Josh Brunskill also used his head to good effect for Kirkby as he climbed above a defender to nod home an equaliser.
Braithwaite regained the lead from a corner before a home striker nearly scored with a lob from 40 yards. But he was thwarted as he began to wheel away in celebration when visiting keeper Steven Lawrence scrambled back and saved on the line.
The home side took that lead into half-time having dominated and pinned back Kirkby, who had struggled to get out of their own half.
However, the Upper Eden side made it 2-2 as a penalty was won by Harry Jones — who showed nice feet cutting in from the right wing — and converted by Ross Jackson.
And Kirkby had the final decisive scoring say when a corner to the back post was headed back by Brunskill and finished by Craig Ostle.
They missed another penalty when Jackson’s second spot kick of the tie was saved by Braithwaite’s keeper, who also made a double save. He parried a long range shot and, as Harry Jones prepared to pounce on what looked a tap-in, the stopper got up and made an impressive save at full stretch.
Kirkby’s win sets up a final showdown against Endmoor KGR Reserves, who triumphed 1-0 in their last four tie against visiting Kirkoswald Reserves.
The final will take place on April 19 at a venue to be confirmed.
Appleby also made progress in the High Sheriff’s Cup, on penalties, against Eden Valley rivals Kirkoswald.
The sides — who are also vying for the JMP Foodservice Westmorland League first division title and will meet in the Senior Challenge Cup final — traded blows in normal time.
Sean Elliott headed KO in front after half-time. Jordan Crawford equalised late on and, in the shootout which followed, Appleby triumphed as they scored all five of their spot kicks, while their keeper, Tom Birkett, made a crucial penalty save.
The two sides first meet in the league at KO’s Old Showfield next Saturday, and then in the reverse fixture, at Broad Close, on Tuesday, April 16.
