Wealdstone crashed out of the FA Cup last night after losing an agonising penalty shoot-out in their first qualifying round replay at Bedford Town.
For the second time in a week Stones dominated the tie but a failure to convert in front of goal cost them a money-spinning home tie with Conference South leaders AFC Wimbledon in the second round.
Despite Wealdstone's dominance it was Town who sprang an early surprise when Sean Thomas upended Andrew Phillips in the box.
This gave the home side an easy opportunity to convert the spot kick, which Rob Miller duly did.
Wealdstone responded well to the poor start and before the sides went in at half time they looked the more likely to score.
During the interval manager Gordon Bartlett injected pace into the side, throwing on Ben Clarke and Nick Salapatas, and the gamble paid off less than 20 minutes later when Clarke levelled for Stones - rounding off some good work from Ryan Ashe.
Salapatas also looked dangerous after his introduction and Steve Hughes and Ryan Ashe were unlucky not to convert from crosses put in by the second-half sub.
It was a stonewall penalty shout, however, that looked destined to get Wealdstone over the line - but referee Groves waved play on despite Lee Chappell being bundled over in the area.
In the first half of extra-time it was Town who thought they had grabbed the winner but Akin Aladetoun's scrambled effort was disallowed as Sean Thomas was deemed to have both hands on the ball.
Stalemate in the second half took the game to penalties and when David Hicks hit the bar and Salapatas's effort was saved the home side kept their heads to convert all four of their spot kicks and take the game 4-2 on penalties.
WEALDSTONE:
Thomas, McCoy, (Clarke), Alan Massey, Gray, Martin, Ashe, Forbes, Hicks, Alexander (Salapatas), Hughes, Chappell.
Subs not used: O'Leary, Quaye, Burrell, Boyce, Woods.
