GOALKEEPER Lee Pacey was the hero for Ely City on Tuesday night as he struck the winning penalty against Wroxham to fire the Robins through to the next round of the FA Cup.

GOALKEEPER Lee Pacey was the hero for Ely City on Tuesday night as he struck the winning penalty against Wroxham to fire the Robins through to the next round of the FA Cup.

Following a tense 90 minutes that ended 1-1 between the two sides, Pacey rose to the fore in the shoot-out saving a number of Wroxham penalties and even smashing home the winning sudden death penalty.

The win moves Ely through to the first qualifying round of the cup where they will face Soham Town Rangers’ conquerors Stewart and Lloyds Corby.

Robins boss Dennis Lightning said: “I am absolutely delighted with the win.

“The lads could easily have fallen to bits after Wroxham equalised late on but they kept their heads up and kept battling and they got the win in the end.

“We have not had penalties for a few years now but I think the lads did well and I think if their keeper had managed to get near Pacey’s penalty he would have ended up in the back of the net with it.”

Ely moved ahead in the 71st minute following a largely even first half, through captain Simon Warren who volleyed home from the edge of the box after controlling a corner.

Intense pressure from Wroxham in the aftermath of the goal eventually saw them draw level with 10 minutes to go and the game went to extra time.

Both sides were tentative in the ensuing 30 minutes and there were no real clear cut chances as the game drifted to penalties.

After the first round of penalties ended 3-3, the match moved to sudden death were Pacey saved from a Wroxham striker and then dusted himself down to smash home the very next spot kick.