Harpenden Town's historic run in the FA Vase came to an end in heartbreaking fashion - beaten on penalties at Dereham Town.
Delayed by a week by wind and rain, Harps twice battled back against their Eastern Counties League Premier Division hosts, Danny Webb scoring a brace, the last of which in the 81st minute left the clash at 2-2.
The goals took Webb to 12 for the season, and seven in the Vase itself, yet ironically it was his penalty that was first to be saved in the shoot-out.
However, the returning Jake Anthony, new signing Jason Beck, Fynn Sweeting and Kyle Rahho all scored and when Eman Olajide save Dereham's fifth, the shoot-out went to sudden death.
Each side scored their next two, Ben Spaul and Ryan Plowright for Harpenden, but after Dereham made it 7-6, Harpenden sent their eighth kick over the top.
The Norfolk side will now play away to AFC Whyteleafe in the round of 32.
Like the men, all the goals came in the second period and it means Harps have a 10-point cushion at the top over Histon, having played just one game more.
Harpenden had plenty of chances in the first half, United keeper Sarah Ridley denying Jaime Curtain and Leah Shellard, but Biggleswade almost snatched the lead just before the break, Ruth Fox's shot squirming wide of the upright.
Chloe Dinsey's introduction at half-time helped change the complexion of the game and she was involved as the deadlock was broken on 57 minutes.
She forced her way past three defenders and into the box before sliding it across to the six-yard box for Sophia Amanor to spin and score.
The second came three minutes later, a misplaced clearance by Ridley giving Curtain the opportunity, and Harps kept pushing for the third.
It came on 76 minutes and was a beauty.
After some brilliant close ball control from Jessica Curtis, the ball was played to Izy Hughes who sent a sizzling shot into the roof of the net.
Colney Heath's men fell to a 2-0 loss at home to runaway Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division leaders MK Irish.
The defeat was the first in five league games for the Magpies but there is no shame losing to a side who are still unbeaten with 15 wins from 17 and having conceded just 12 goals.
Jamie Fulton had an effort saved for Heath before Irish opened the scoring just before the break, George Shrieves nipping in at the far post to force the ball over the line.
Billy Owen was also denied by the MK keeper in the second half before they doubled their lead through James Meadows on 59 minutes.
Tom Ladyman also got the better of Colney pair George Hughes and Jack Johnson but Irish nearly made it three with a Mason Spence effort that hit the post.
St Albans Primary Schools visited Slough for a three-way group of games.
The first saw the Yellows and Blues play each other and although it was relatively close, the game was decided by goals from the Yellows' Calum Leith and Nick Foster.
Leith also scored the only goal in a Cotswold League game against the hosts, Ted Burgoyne-Richards named man of the match.
The final match was the Blues against Slough and it was a superb example of how to manage a game as the Blues won 2-0 with goals from Fionn Harrington and Zayne Chapman.
Player of the match here was Tristan Phillips.
There is only one game on Saturday as the Yellows visit Hackney for their Christmas Shield.
Share