Widnes FC needed penalties to secure their passage into the third round of the Macron Cup as Richie Mottram proved to be the hero in a 3-1 penalty shootout victory over Hallmark Security League First Division side Carlisle City on Monday night.

The hosts started slowly and found themselves behind as Matthew Read’s deflected effort gave Carlisle a 28th-minute lead.

Widnes were heading for an early exit but Brad Smart netted an 89th minute equaliser after a second half of incessant Whites pressure.

The game would be decided on penalties with Mottram saving three of Carlisle’s four penalties to ensure Widnes’ passage to the last 16 of the North West Counties League Cup.

Steve Akrigg and Kev Towey made eight changes to the side beaten by Charnock Richard on Saturday. There were debuts for youngsters James Frudd and Rory Middleton while Harris Saunders made his second Widnes appearance at centre-half.

Smart, Tony Donaldson, Dylan Sweeney and Danny Laverty were all handed recalls while Sean Myler captained the side in his return from a short absence.

First Division side Carlisle started the better of the two sides and twice spurned chances to take the lead.

City skipper Josh Simpson hit the post with a curling effort after Widnes could only half-clear David Renyard’s corner before Michael Slack headed narrowly wide, latching on to Renyard’s cross.

The visitors opened the scoring as the half-hour mark approached, with Read’s shot from distance taking a heavy deflection, wrongfooting ‘keeper Mottram as the ball sailed into the back of the net.

A below-par first half performance saw the introduction of Towey and Kev Pollard at the break, and the latter had Widnes’ best chance to grab an equaliser.

City ‘keeper Michael Ballantyne could only punch a free-kick towards the Widnes skipper, who rattled the crossbar on the half-volley as the hosts struggled to find a way back into the tie.

Akrigg and Towey’s side were afforded a lifeline as Widnes equalised to the relief of the home support.

Carlisle could only half-clear a long ball forward, allowing Towey to pick up the loose ball. He combined with teammate Smart who applied a fine finish from close-range to send the tie straight to spot-kicks.

After Pollard and City’s Robert McCartney both missed opening spot-kicks, Michael Grogan converted to put Widnes 1-0 up.

Mottram then produced the second of three saves to preserve Widnes’ narrow lead, only for earlier goalscorer Smart miss his chance to double his side’s advantage.

Renyard levelled the scoreline, with the ever-reliable Towey swiftly restoring Widnes’ advantage with the hosts’ fourth penalty, despite Ballantyne’s best efforts to keep it out.

Darren Addison saw his penalty saved by Mottram presenting Donaldson with a chance to win it. The former Runcorn Linnets man confidently dispatched his spot-kick to put Widnes through to the last 16.