HOLDERS Eagle Sports march on in the Liverpool County FA Saturday Challenge Cup but only after being pushed to the wire by Rylands.

A 4-2 victory after extra time in a feisty tie at Thornton Road on Saturday hands Eagle a trip to Formby to face Redgate Rovers in the quarter finals on February 6.

They can thank an Owen Ellis hat-trick and some staunch defending, after both sides had been reduced to 10 men, for keeping their hopes of back-to-back triumphs alive following April's first win in the competition.

Goals from Ellis and Richard Chinn gave Eagle a 2-0 interval advantage, but only before

Rylands' Scott Beckett and Eagle's Jay Waldron were dismissed after having been judged to have jumped into a collision with two feet.

The visitors fought back with strikes from substitute Odi Koubemba in the 78th and 87th minutes highlighting Rylands' strong finish to the opening 90 minutes.

But it was the hosts who found an extra gear and two further strikes from Ellis in the 92nd and 116th minutes sealed Eagle's win.

Rylands manager Danny Salt said: “I was delighted with the way that we responded in the second half, and the impact of substitute Odi Koubemba who turned out to be the difference, scoring twice.

“Going into the final few minutes we felt we had Eagle on the ropes, but to their credit they held out well to force extra time.

“I was disappointed with some of the defending which led to the two winning goals.

“We wish them the best of luck for the remainder of the competition and we look forward to having a week off before returning to league action at Styal on November 14.”

Eagle are also without a game this weekend, returning to Cheshire League Premier Division action at Denton Town a week on Saturday.