Having overcome higher grade opposition in defeating 1874 Northwich in the previous round, Heys had hopes of adding another headlining scalp, particularly when Shelton Payne twice gave them the lead. However, they were ultimately thwarted in a hard-fought encounter, by a hat-trick by one of Non-League’s deadliest marksmen, Carl Grimshaw.

It was harsh on Heys who matched their opponents throughout, and had they taken a couple of decent chances that came their way when leading 2-1 the outcome may well have proved different.

This was a slow burner of a game that developed and improved as it progressed, the opening exchanges were untidy, almost laboured, as both teams struggled to keep possession.

The first chance came the way of the visitors as Matthew Davison cut into the box before putting his shot behind from a tight angle.

Heys first sight of goal came in the 17th minute when Payne curled in a shot that was comfortably held by Charnock keeper Ben Ashcroft.

It was to prove a sighter for the Heys wide man as in the 25th minute he gave his side the lead. Some good work by Danny White saw him pick out Payne on the edge of the area and with a delicious roll of the ball from one foot to the other he cut inside and curled home a superb shot into the far bottom corner.

At this point, Heys were looking the more threatening, Payne shot across goal and a swashbuckling run and cross by Jacob Holt caused real problems in the visitors defence before being cleared.

As the pace of the game increased Charnock responded. As Heys struggled to clear it took a smart save by Russell Saunders to keep out his shot.

However, in the 39th minute the visitors levelled. Heys defence had done a good job on keeping Grimshaw quiet up to this point, often forcing him deep, but when Oliver Oxley delivered a deep cross to the far post, the striker found a yard of space at the far post to head home.

Charnock’s joy was to prove short lived, however. On the stroke of half time Ashcroft made a mess of a clearance sending it straight to the feet of Payne who gleefully advanced to steer the ball home.

Charnock came out the busier on the restart and some swift passing ended with Regan shooting just over.

Heys responded with Danny White heading just over before Payne, from an acute angle saw his shot blocked at the foot of the post by Ashcroft.

There was now a real intensity to the game, Charnock having to commit more resources to attack, Heys defending stoically and looking a real threat on the counter.

Saunders dropped smartly to his left to save a close range shot from Davison before Grimshaw rose to head wide when it seemed he must score.

In response, Heys wasted a three on one break away and then when Will Shawcross crossed low for Haydn Foulds it looked like game over, but the Heys striker finished meekly.

Five minutes from time Heys were punished as Charnock levelled. The goal was identical to their first, a deep cross to the far post and Grimshaw again found the space to head home.

In the dying seconds Payne almost snatched it for Heys, breaking from deep, his angled shot was saved low down at full stretch by Ashcroft.

As extra time got under way Payne again went close with a shot that sailed just over. However, the visitors were looking the fresher and in the 98thth minute took the lead. The ball was worked across the edge of the penalty area before Grimshaw drilled a low shot into the bottom corner to complete his hat-trick.

Charnock threatened to cut loose, Saunders was out quick to save at the feet of Jordan Darr who shortly after then shot against the post.

The woodwork rescued Heys again in the 122nd minute this time denying Lewis Haydock. From there Heys broke and a Shawcross shot was kept out by the outstretched hand of Ashcroft before trickling round the post.

It sparked one last push from Heys and they went mightily close to forcing a replay. Justin Pickering broke through the middle, but Ashcroft blocked smartly.

Then from a corner Holt’s deft back header went agonisingly wide before Payne’s cross picked out Adrian Bellamy who, at full stretch, steered into the side netting.

With the last kick of the game Brad Sixsmith found space but saw his shot just clear the bar. It had been a game of fine margins.

TEAM: Russell Saunders, Darius Photiou, Jacob Holt, Max White, Adrian Bellamy, Jacob Wood (Capt), Danny White, Brad Sixsmith, Jamie Sinnott, Jordan Pendlebury, Shelton Payne Subs: Haydn Foulds (for Sinnott 61 mins), Justin Pickering (for Pendlebury 71 mins), Will Shawcross (for Danny White 74 mins), Carl Fitton, Kieron Sherlock