PAUL Groves’s return to the Goldsands Stadium dugout ended in familiar fashion last night – with Cherries suffering a third penalty shootout defeat of the season under his charge.

Groves, who was relieved of his post as first-team manager earlier this month, was back on duty with the youth team for their FA Youth Cup first round clash against non-league AFC Totton.

And having presided over exits from both the League Cup and Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, Groves looked on as Cherries bowed out following an extraordinary sudden-death showdown.

The Stags, who had goalkeeper Matthew Fredericks to thank for earning them a 1-1 draw after extra-time, eventually prevailed 11-10 – with opposite number Ed Tierney left red faced in the shootout.

Tierney, who is apparently no longer under the tutelage of Cherries goalkeeper coach Neil Moss, missed his spot-kick having set himself up for a fall by playing up to the crowd before lofting his effort over the crossbar.

Earlier, Cherries had opened the scoring through highly-rated 15-year-old Sam Matthews, whose sublime 25-yard curler looked destined to pave the way for a convincing victory.

However, a combination of errant finishing and an inspired display from Fredericks thwarted the hosts, a cocktail which would eventually lead to Cherries’ downfall.

They were made to pay for their profligacy after 36 minutes when Nathan Hurst’s adept finish saw the Hampshire Youth League outfit restore parity against the run of play.

Brandon Goodship was denied by two top-drawer saves from Fredericks, while Mason Walsh, son of ex-Portsmouth striker Paul Walsh, squandered a gilt-edged chance to win it for Cherries.

The two teams then duelled in one of the best penalty shootouts ever seen at Dean Court before Tierney fluffed his lines to cap a miserable night for Cherries.

Tierney, 18, later took to social networking site Twitter and posted: "Apologise to anyone I have let down tonight. My actions were not out of disrespect or arrogance. All credit to Totton and best of luck."

Cherries: Tierney, Davis, Cargill, Carmichael, McCarthy, Turner, Matthews (Kirkwood, 87), Buckley (Harris, 78), Roberts (Walsh, 73), Goodship, Blackmore. Unused subs: Topliss, Kaye.