HAMWORTHY United’s FA Vase run ended in heartbreak as they fell to defeat on penalties in the FA Vase semi-final.

A first-half strike from Mo Ahmed was cancelled out by a fine finish by Cam Munn, but there were no further goals in a pulsating 1-1 draw.

Penalties eventually decided who qualified for the final at Wembley, with Newport Pagnell goalkeeper Martin Conway the hero after making three saves and scoring as his side won 6-5.

Hamworthy looked dangerous from the off, with attacker Munn barged over from behind as Newport Pagnell defender Jordan Wright cynically prevented the teenager the chance to run in one-on-one.

Shortly after Eddie Hodge saw an unorthodox effort cleared off the line, an early indicator that the winger would cause havoc down the right-hand flank.

Hodge looked a constant threat down the wing with his quick feet, finding plenty of joy in teasing defenders.

After a strong start from the Hammers, Newport Pagnell battled back into the game, turning the affair into a scrappy game with neither side in control.

Both sides lacked a cutting edge of any real quality, meaning it was no real surprise when the opening goal came courtesy of a huge slice of luck.

A hopeful ball over the top of Hamworthy’s defence was held up by the strong winds, leaving goalkeeper Shane Murphy caught out. A collision between Murphy and his own defender saw the ball pop up kindly for Mo Amed, who rolled the ball home into the empty net.

Despite the setback just two minutes before the break, Hammers almost found an instant response.

Munn opted to attack the same flank Hodge has tormented, allowing the Eastleigh youngster to drive into the box. His mazy run ended only after the attacker fired shot off, forcing Newport Pagnell to clear off the line for the second time.

The final five minutes of the first half produced plenty of chances, with Jake Watkinson almost rounding off another counter. The striker struck the ball on the turn, smacking the post and leaving Hamworthy shell-shocked as they went down the tunnel.

Amed almost had a second shortly after the break, with the pacey attacker breaking past the Hamworthy United defence.

However, Amed was unable to decide to pass or shoot, smacking the ball out of play.

After being spared at one end, Hamworthy managed to find an equaliser at the other.

Munn’s lovely first-touch brought the ball down in the box, but his second was even better as he fired across the body of Martin Conway and into the back of the net.

Conway almost gifted the Hammers a second, after his weak free-kick came straight back to the shotstopper.

Rather than attempt to move the ball back up the pitch, he attempted to dribble his way out of danger.

Instead, he ran into Wilcock, who immediately tried his luck from out wide, sending the ball wide with the goal agape.

There was little goalmouth action until the last 10 minutes, with Newport Pagnell having a chance of their own cleared off the line.

Watkinson’s header from a corner was forced away from goal by Hammers skipper Lee Francis.

Hamworthy had to weather the storm in the closing stages, with Murphy making a massive save with a minute to go.

Substitute Danny Webb must have thought he scored when he first from just in front of the post, but somehow Murphy made himself big enough to keep the Hammers in the tie.

It was enough to send the game to penalties, with both sets of players knowing that a trip to Wembley was on offer for success.

Despite the saves of Murphy, Newport Pagnell eventually won the shootout 6-5 to advance to Wembley.

Hammers: Murphy, Randall (Eccott-Young, 62) Wright, Devlin, Rolls, Costello, Hodge (Neale, 72), Francis, Wilcock, Munn, Lovell

Unused subs: Cann, Scott (g/k), Filkins, Buckler, Davis

Booked: Munn

Referee: Daniel Middleton

Attendance: 1,800