MARK Shepherd and Wesley Joyce were the two-goal heroes as Worcester City booked a place in the Dr Martens League Cup final for the first time in 41 years.

Both netted a brace of excellent strikes as City came from behind to see off Newport County 5-3 after extra-time in a thrilling semi-final at St George's Lane.

Shepherd also helped set up both of Joyce's goals as he led the line intelligently in his best display for the club, and his second goal which saved City from defeat will be talked about for a long time.

But he and Joyce were not the only heroes for City. Teenage goalkeeper Paul Wyatt, called up at the last minute after Danny McDonnell was sidelined by back spasms, showed impeccable handling, and there were other telling contributions all over the field.

The game continued the sequence of goal feasts between the two clubs - their last three meetings at St George's Lane have now produced 23 goals.

City shaded a goalless first-half but finally hit the front nine minutes after the break, Mark Owen and Andy Ellis combining to set up Shepherd to shoot home from 15 yards.

Newport, however, were level inside two minutes when the experienced Carl Dale headed home a left-wing cross.

On 71 minutes they looked to be heading to the final when a rare error by defender Martin Weir enabled Jason Donovan to shoot into the roof of the net from close range.

But a moment of brilliance from Shepherd saved City's bacon seven minutes from time. Receiving a pass from Paul Carty just inside the area, he steadied himself, saw 'keeper Pat Mountain just off his line and floated a superb chip with the outside of his foot into the top corner of the net.

Into extra-time and teenager Joyce, who'd replaced Marc Burrow a few minutes earlier, took centre stage.

After six minutes Ian Cottrill's cross was headed down by Shepherd and Joyce drilled home a low angled shot from 15 yards.

Then a minute before the break Newport were caught short at the back and Shepherd and Steve Lutz fed the ball across to Joyce, who almost burst the net with an unstoppable 20-yard drive.

Five minutes from time Carty ensured the celebrations could begin after intercepting a stray pass from Newport skipper Darren Robison and sliding the ball under Mountain.

Former City player Leigh Hall headed home a consolation for the visitors in the final minute.

Worcester: P. Wyatt 8, Carty 7, Burrow 6 (Joyce 81, 8), Greenman 7, Heeley 7, Weir 6, Cottrill 7, Ellis 7 (Tucker 105), Owen 6 (Lutz 90, 7), Shepherd 9, Hyde 7.

H Star man: Mark Shepherd.

Attendance: 818.