Hosts Glenfield Town have made an excellent start to the season, sitting atop the Premier Division of the Leicester and District League, so they start the afternoon as favourites against a Shepshed Amateurs team who lie in sixth place in the North Leicestershire League Premier Division.
Nevertheless, Shepshed took the game to their hosts from the off, and were rewarded with a 5th minute goal, a free kick from skipper Chris James can be seen bouncing awkwardly just in front of Glenfield keeper Jake Greaves as it finds its way straight into goal.
A shock result looks likely after 23 minutes as Nathan Gordon makes it 2-0 from the penalty spot after Carl Brooks is tripped by Chris Smith, but perhaps crucially Glenfield pull one back right on the half time whistle, Jamie Aston heading home from close range after Andy Payne's cross is knocked down.
Glenfield's reserve team are also in action in their respective county cup competition on the second pitch at the complex.
Glenfield get on top after the interval, but it takes them until the 73rd minute to find an equaliser, Sam Craig heading home a Danny Piper corner. Both sides then come close to finding a winner, Glenfield skipper Andrew Henderson getting back to deny Darren Slater after his shot beat the keeper, whilst for the hosts a Sam Craig shot crashed back off the post.
2-2 then at the end of 90 minutes and extra time is required. Great credit all round that two hours of a hard fought cup tie pass without any cards issued, not least an excellent refereeing performance from Noel McKenzie, who here defuses one of the few flash points.
Extra time turns into something of a goal rush, Mat Parry putting Glenfield ahead direct from a right wing corner on 93 minutes, Chris Coe rounding the keeper from a Carl Brooks long ball to equalise just four minutes later, only for Jamie Aston to get in behind the Shepshed defence and head the hosts into a 4-3 lead from Mark Woolman's cross after 100 minutes.
The second period of extra time finally sees Glenfield take control, Sam Craig converting a deep Mark Hughes cross after 108 minutes, and Darren Abell unfortunately heading into his own goal after a Danny Piper cross came back off the bar just two minutes later. Chris James did pull one back for Shepshed with a neat finish to give a final scoreline of 6-4 to a thoroughly entertaining game.
