FOR the second consecutive round of the Bernard Finnegan Cup Express needed extra time to get through, despite on this occasion being the far more imaginative and attacking team.

ARCHDALES RESERVES 3, EXPRESS 4 (AET)

With a strong wind blowing from one end of the pitch to the other it was always going to be tough defending into it. With the wind at their backs in the first half Express really set about taking the game to their first division hosts.

Express controlled the opening exchanges but managed to squander chance after chance in front of goal, and it looked like it might not be their day when skipper Andy Bottomley limped off after 20 minutes following an innocent challenge.

Top scorer Jamie Roberts finally broke the deadlock on the half hour after good work from sub Andy Shepherd. Express let their lead slip just before half time, Steve Cooper meeting a fine cross to head home.

From the restart Express came out flying and Roberts returned the compliment to Shepherd, who lobbed the keeper to restore Express' lead before Shepherd grabbed his second 20 minutes from the end as Archdales struggled to reply.

Archdales increased their long ball game and two late goals, one a second for Cooper, took the tie into extra time.

Ten minutes into the first period it was Express who struck the decisive blow, Roberts cut in from the right, rounded the keeper and deservedly put Express into the semi final.

With others pushing for a start, Express will have to be sharper this week when they entertain Longbridge Sports in the quarter final of the Infirmary Minor cup. Players meet 9.30am Victoria Park.