Blackstones are beaten by Potton United in the Hinchingbrooke Cup
Blackstones bowed out of the Hinchingbrooke Cup after a penalty shoot-out defeat to Potton United on Wednesday night.
Stones lost 4-3 on spot kicks after the first round tie with their higher level South Midlands League Premier Division visitors had ended 3-3.
Jon Harrison and Ryan Wood's side had beaten the Royals en-route to reaching the final of last season's competition.
However, they fell behind after just six minutes when James Smith headed a free-kick back across goal for Rakeem Kamara to score the opening goal.
A superb save from Max Peverell then kept the deficit down to one goal before Stones equalised with a fine near finish from Scott Waumsley.
The home side then took the lead before half-time when Eddie Grunsteins headed home for the second successive game.
However, within two minutes of the second period restarting, Potton had equalised when Jordan Brown fired home a rebound after his initial effort had been blocked.
Stones then thought they had grabbed the winner when Will Bestwick put them back in front in the second minute of stoppage time.
But, just two minutes later, Potton levelled again as Brown bagged his second of the game at the back post to take the tie to penalties.
Potton converted the first spot kick with Nathan Rudman immediately getting Stones back on level terms.
Bestwick cancelled out Potton's second successful conversion with Matt Walker doing likewise after the Royals had again scored.
A fourth consecutive Potton penalty kept them in front before Grunsteins hit his effort over the crossbar for Blackstones.
Peverell saved the fifth Potton penalty to keep Stones in the match but Waumsley then saw his effort kept out by Jack Galatis to send the Royals through.
Stones return to United Counties League Division One action on Saturday with a trip to Staveley Miners Welfare.
The Stamford side are currently in seventh spot, just a point outside the play-offs, ahead of their visit to the third-placed Derbyshire club.
