Of all the ways to lose an important cup tie, going out on penalties is the hardest one to take; for close on two hours of football you match the opposition for every minute played and then a few saves by the rival 'keeper sees all your hopes and dreams go down the tubes.

This was the fate that befell Tenby on Saturday after Goodwick United made it through to the semi-final of the Senior Cup, and yet it could have been all so different.

The game didn't start well for Mike Lewis's side. Two goals down within the first 20 minutes and then they lose inspirational player Dean Rossiter to a broken thumb, an injury so bad it required an operation and overnight stay in hospital.

Perversely, Rossiter's absence seemed to spur the side on. Despite being 2-0 down at the break, they were on level terms within two minutes of the re-start.

First, Jordan Richards beat the offside trap to reduce the deficit and then Daryl Mansbridge equalised minutes later. From then on in, there was nothing between the sides in a game of such high octane football that both sets of players were blowing at the end.

It was real end to end stuff, with both sides creating chances, but none was closer than Callum Proctor's shot with just minutes of normal time to go, a shot that virtually clipped the side post.

If this wasn't agonising enough, Goodwick took the lead in the first half of extra-time and for most of this period it looked as though it would be enough to see them through; that was until Phil Catlin rose above the defence to head the home team level, meaning penalties loomed.

Goodwick scored first and then Catlin stepped up to the mark. His shot was saved by Carl Woodhouse, who repeated this again with Tenby's next effort to end their cup dreams.

"It was heartbreaking," admitted Lewis. "If we had scored first in extra-time, I think we would have done it, but I've got nothing but praise for this team. They are young players with a huge future and if we can keep them together for a few more years we could definitely do something as a club.

"We played well and held our own against one of the best and that's something to be proud of."

After being on the wrong end of a 5-0 drubbing last week, Kilgetty knew they had to get their season back on track for their visit to Monkton Swifts in this basement battle, a proverbial six-pointer.

With both teams struggling for form and in Kilgetty's case consistency, the pressure was on to see who would come out on top; on this occasion the visitors took the spoils.

In winning 3-0, Norman James's team will be less anxious than they were prior to kick-off, yet even this win, a comfortable one in the end, won't make their season safe.

They may have games in hand over the three teams below them, but nothing is certain in Division One this year and with only 15 points to their credit, they must continue to work hard to avoid a drop into Division Two.

Looking back at this game, they had few worries about the result as Mike Beynon scored twice together with a goal by Adam Johns. More chances were forthcoming, but none taken. It didn't matter so much in this game, but they face sterner examinations ahead and will have to be on top of their game.

For any neutral football fans debating which game to go and see on Saturday afternoon, anyone who chose to go to Narberth made the right decision as they would have been witness to one of the best games of the season so far.

The Jesse Road outfit played host to Hakin United, who at one stage of the campaign looked certain to add to the many titles they have won over the past 15 years.

Their form has tailed off slightly of late, meaning the chance for silverware has probably gone, but they are never a team to be underestimated and you rarely want to allow them to secure a two-goal lead mid-way through the second half.

That's exactly what Narberth did as they trailed 2-1 at the break and went further behind early in the second.

Fortunately, Hakin were in a profligate mood as they conceded a penalty in the first half that Richie Adams converted and shortly after going 3-1 up, conceded another that Adams slotted home.

Jordan Williams then brought Narberth level with around 10 minutes to go, before substitute Tony Evans's shot re-bounded off the post with Liam Woodford converting to put the Bluebirds 4-3 up.

With full-time looming, Narberth did the inexplicable and conceded a penalty of their own and Hakin drew level with the final kick of the match.

Narberth manager Nigel Thomas was understandably frustrated with the result.

"It's disappointing in the end, but that's the way it goes. We should have won after that second half performance. Justin Blewitt was outstanding throughout, but particularly in the second half. Kyle Quartermaine also played well, but unfortunately it wasn't quite enough to see us over the line."

Despite this not being one of Carew's finest season's, they have never stopped believing in themselves and this self-belief came to fruition away at Johnston as they held the Division Two leaders to a 1-1 draw away from home.

The visitors took the lead in the second half when Sam Harts put them ahead, but this was cancelled out after 65 minutes when the home team equalised. Carew kept their shape, but failed to create further chances, but the result was not lost on Paul Bullock.

"It was quite a battle. We did well and prevented them from creating and it was good to get a point against them."

Before the start of the season, St. Clears had set themselves a target of finishing in the top four, yet after losing 7-3 away at Milford Athletic, manager Charlie Smith is fearful they won't even finish in the bottom four unless they become more consistent and less generous at set pieces.

"Our inability to defend set pieces is costing us," said Smith. "In open play we are a match for any side, yet we are not learning from our errors.

"It's very annoying actually. I know we are a young side, but we need to buck up our ideas if we are to move forward."

The Saints trailed 3-1 at the break, with the home side scoring two from corners and the other via an own goal. Eddie Wiggins pulled the visitors level after the home side went ahead, but despite looking comfortable, they were too lax in defence.

Another goal by the home team from a corner put them further ahead, but an Andrew McCabe volley from 20 yards reduced the deficit to two goals.

Nathan Evans made it 4-3 with an excellent free-kick, but more defensive lapses followed as the Saints lost their grip on the game, especially when the home side attacked from a set piece position and they eventually won 7-3.

Saundersfoot Sports had an excellent 2-1 home win against Angle, although they very well nearly had to settle for a draw but for a brilliant last minute save by James Caine.

A Daniel Bates goal gave the Sports a 1-0 interval lead, with Ross Gray extending this in the second.

Angle responded with one of their own and pressed hard for another and very nearly got it, but the towering figure of Caine denied them at the death.

"It was a real tight game and both sides seemed satisfied with the result at the end," admitted Daryl John. "We possibly could have scored another one or two, but we did enough in the end."

In Division Three, Narberth Seconds lost 7-1 away at Goodwick United, despite drawing 1-1 at the break. The Bluebirds took the lead mid-way through the first half through Mark O'Sullivan, yet conceded a penalty soon after that Goodwick scored from.

Minutes before the break they conceded another, but Bluebirds 'keeper Geraint Nicholas made a fantastic save to deny them.

Unfortunately he couldn't make another early in the second as Goodwick took the lead and then they took control of the game to score a further five goals without reply.

"Even if we had gone up there with our full strength team we would have struggled to come away with anything," said manager O'Sullivan. "We played some U16s and they did well, but as soon as they scored their second our heads went down and that was that."

With a surname like his, it was no wonder Lawrenny manager Neil Jolly was beaming after witnessing his side hammer Pennar 4-0 at home.

The home team's boss believes it was one of their finest performances of the season thus far and hopes they can continue with this run of results until the end of the season.

Three of the goals came in the second half after Gavin James gave them an interval lead. Then it was the Joe Kidney show as the ace striker grabbed a second half hat-trick to sink the spirits of the opposition and raise those of his own team.

"We created chance after chance," said Jolly. "We've been like it all season, but in the past few weeks we have actually put them away and it's great to see."

Meanwhile, Manorbier United's magnificent form continued as they earned an away victory at Merlins Bridge, winning 4-2.

In Division Four, Carew Seconds lost 7-1 away at Clarbeston Road, while a Jamie Morgan hat-trick was enough to see Saundersfoot Seconds win 3-1 against St. Florence, for whom Steve Lund scored.

Despite there being doubts over the future of Pendine's second team, they were still able to field a side for the Division Five Cup clash at home to Lamphey Seconds on Saturday and the final analysis of 2-2 looks favourable on paper, but the full story can be gleaned from the fact this was the second leg of the first round clash and Lamphey went into the game 10-2 up.

Steve Roberts and Chris Evans scored the goals for Pendine, but there was never going to be any coming back from such a large deficit as the one they faced prior to the match.

In another Division Five Cup clash, Kilgetty tied their second leg, second round match against Lawrenny 2-2, but went through courtesy of leading 2-0 from the first. Duane Rossiter and Ryan Howells grabbed the goals for Kilgetty, while Brad Jenkins and Barry Phillips scored for the visitors in an absorbing cup tie.