BLACKBURN Northern suffered the agony of a penalty shoot-out defeat in the last sixteen of the National Cup in Coventry, despite a sensational hat trick from hot shot Dawid Wieczorek.

Berkswell were quickly on top and it was no surprise when the Midlands outfit forged ahead early on to shock the visitors.

Blackburn responded, and top scorer Wieczorek levelled it through a drag flick.

However, ‘Burn were punished for a lapse in concentration and were behind again shortly afterwards.

And when Berkswell increased their lead before half time it looked bleak for Blackburn.

However, Blackburn rallied and reduced the deficit early on, Wieczorek smashing a shot into the top corner.

Blackburn’s momentum was building as they created chance after chance, but their efforts were matched by some fine goalkeeping.

Stuart Grant then forced a short corner, and Wieczorek claimed his hat trick to level the tie.

It was nip and tuck now, but Berkswell were quickly back in front 4-3, their forward converting a fierce hit.

Blackburn had to dig deep, and when a poor clearance fell to midfielder Jack Caton, he trapped the ball and his reverse sweep found the bottom corner to level this thrilling tie.

It was Berkswell who claimed the honours, though, their goalkeeper saving all three Blackburn penalties.

Meanwhile, Blackburn Northern had reason to celebrate in their league fixture, defeating Carlisle 3-0.

It was a fine display by the home side with Carl Sanderson firing Blackburn ahead, before Wieczorek got in on the act again, firing home a short corner.

And it was Wieczorek who completed the scoring for Blackburn, with another opportunist strike.

Clitheroe and Blackburn Northern Ladies Firsts drew 2-2 with top of the table Pendle Forest on Sunday having drawn 1-1 with Formby the previous day.