THORNTON United have made an unfortunate exit from the FA SUNDAY CUP in a match that was a credit to sabbath soccer.

They were pressing for a winner at 1-1 in their home second-round tie against Alder FC at Manningham Mills when the Liverpudlians netted with only four minutes of extra-time remaining.

Alder's left back put them ahead after dribbling past three United defenders but the Merseysiders could not repel wave after wave of United attacks, goal machine Deroy White equalising following a move that started in the Thornton half.

Referee Ian Johnston booked five players, including four from Alder, as tempers became frayed before the visitors' late winner.

A minute's silence for local referee and Bradford & District FA delegate Paul Stacey was immaculately observed before the kick-off by a crowd of about 200. He died on Friday after suffering a stroke.

Bradford's interest in the FA Sunday Cup is not over, however, as West Bowling goalkeeper Ian Carradice was the hero of a 4-3 penalty shoot-out win against Birstall Stamford of Leicester & Rutland at Birstall United.

The hosts started the better and deserved their lead, Damian Melvyn levelling with a 25-yard blockbuster.

A well-taken goal put United 2-1 in front after 70 minutes but Melvyn was brought down in the area with ten minutes left, Andy Bailey sending the home keeper the wrong way from the spot.

Carradice's brilliant shoot-out save then gave West Bowling the impetus to score their next two penalties and squeak through.

West Bowling are already into the quarter-finals of the BRADFORD & DISTRICT FA SUNDAY SENIOR CUP, and they have now been joined by Bradford Horton Sports, Bolton Woods, White Eagles, Oddfellows and Buttershaw Celtic.

Thornton United have a delayed second-round tie against Division One Allerton.

Buttershaw Celtic ran in seven goals against First Division Oakenshaw to earn themselves the dubious distinction of a home tie against West Bowling.

Celtic were 5-1 ahead by half-time, with Lee Smith bagging a hat-trick. Smith added another in the second half, Celtic's other goals coming from Gary Stoyles, Nathan Ramsden and man of the match Paul Blake.

White Eagles had a hard-fought 3-2 win again Undercliffe Cricket Club, who thus lost their first match of the season.

The first two were own goals, Craig Smith putting Undercliffe ahead with a bullet header before a Cricket Club defender also put the ball in at the wrong end.

White Eagles went 2-1 up but could not hold their lead before the interval, and Danny Facey's penalty put them ahead for good in the second half against gutsy opponents after Levi Maturine was fouled.

In the BRADFORD & DISTRICT FA SUNDAY CUP, Thornton United Reserves reached the fourth round by dethroning Salthorn WMC 2-1 on the back of a tremendous midfield display by Daniel Hardaker and goals by Stuart Wilkinson and Brad Asquith, the downside being a broken leg for striker Dan Waller.

In contrast, Mill Lane put 12 past Westwood Park, Paul Hague hitting five and Steve Hollingsworth three.

There was also some Bradford Sunday Alliance League action, and Stanningley Albion cemented their position at the top of the PREMIER DIVISION table with a 7-1 victory over bottom club Bradford Moor.

Swaine Green ran riot in the FIRST DIVISION, rising to third on the back of a 12-1 win at Red Lion Bradford.

The goals were scored by former Red Lion striker Kyle Shah (4), Chris Edgeley (2), Sam Bradley, Simon McQuiston, Devon James, Antonie Burke, Antony Smith and an own goal.

Swaine Green have a game in hand on leaders Allerton but are only a point adrift