WHOOPS of delight filled the chilly night air as Swifts starlets Brad Davison and Harry Boon were mobbed by their team-mates after pulling off an amazing penalty shoot out triumph over Romford in the FA Youth Cup First Round Qualifying, writes JON LONGMAN.

Swifts won 6-5 on penalties after their never-say-die attitude reaped handsome dividends - Freddie Cooper cancelling out Romford’s 51st-minute opener with only seconds of normal time remaining to force a penalty shoot out decider.

Swifts will now face Redbridge at home, provisionally set for Friday week, after a spirited fightback to deny Romford who dominated the match for long periods.

Romford had looked the more likely winners as Jesse Olukulo tormented the Swifts defence with a barrage of pinpoint centres to test the nerve of Davison and his defenders.

The shoot out moved into sudden death as sides were tied at 5-5 following the regulation spot kicks with Cooper, Jamie Williams, George Davis, Josh Lodge and Louie Vosper finding the back of the Romford net.

Davison saved Romford’s sixth penalty but his remarkable leap was ruled out by the assistant referee.

He said that the 15-year-old had moved off his line before the kick was taken and the referee ordered Romford’s Eugenio Baide to retake his sudden-death kick.

The Romford player appeared to be psyched out by not knowing where to deliver the penalty retake and skied his attempt into the Scraley Road car park.

Then amidst disgraceful scenes, the Romford management led their players off the pitch after exchanging opinions with the referee about the intimidation from the Swifts fans behind the goal in a healthy-sized crowd of 114.

This delay appeared to be an attempt by the Romford team to delay Heybridge taking what was likely to be the final penalty.

But Boon held his nerve after the interruption, to lash home the Swifts winning spot-kick.