LAST season's beaten finalists Gladstone Liberal Club were unable to match the exploits of last term as they lost 2-1 to All Cannings A in the preliminary round of the PPL Presto Print sponsored Eric Hughes Memorial Knockout Cup.

All Cannings needed extra time to overcome the First Division side. Martin Baker's first half strike for Cannings was cancelled out by James Pope's effort, but Cannings' winner came from Nigel Hiscocks in the second period of added time.

Holt overturned a 4-1 deficit before earning a thrilling 5-4 penalty shoot-out victory over Third Division rivals Black Horse.

Black Horse stole the lead in the seventh minute from their first attack with a crisp 18-yard finish from Leyton Brown.

The Horse doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time, when Tony Falcone applied the finishing touch to an excellent five-man move.

A thrilling start to the second period saw Tom Pang, with his back to goal, control the ball and turn before dispatching the ball home from 16 yards to reduce the arrears.

But Holt's joy lasted less than a minute as Leyton Brown headed the Chippenham side back into a two- goal lead. The Horse moved 4-1 in front in the 55th minute when Brown headed home Stuart Wilson's corner to complete his hat-trick.

Holt were given a lifeline when John Andrews chipped the ball home to make it 4-2. Andrews made it 4-3 in the 67th minute with a shot on the turn from close range after his first effort had been blocked by Black Horse goalkeeper Craig Leadbeater.

Holt pressed forward looking for an equaliser, but found Leadbeater in fine form. Pang had a goal-bound effort hooked off the line by Wilson in the 80th minute, but two minutes later Pang crashed home from eight yards to complete the remarkable fightback and tie the scoreline at 4-4.

Holt fell behind in the first minute of extra time as Vince Ryan's shot took a deflection to loop over keeper Mahoney to put the Horse back in front at 5-4, but Alan Fodder's strike from 25 yards on the stroke of half-time restored parity.

The game went to penalties, and with Stuart Wilson missing for Black Horse, Holt went through with Neil Grant, John Anthony, Pang, Fodder and Mark Slade netting.

Premier Division sides Corsham FC and Melksham Motor Spares went out as Third Division Somerford and First Division Atworth United claimed the major upsets of the day.

Somerford defeated the Spares 3-2, with goals from Chris Yeo (2) and Gavin Klukowski.

Atworth proved their fine start to the season is no fluke as they overcame a highly rated Corsham FC side 3-1. Corsham's consolation came from Craig Gingell.

Wayne Kibble and Alan Webb hit hat-tricks for Premier Division Malmesbury Victoria as they brushed aside Second Division Old Lane United 10-0. Anthony Vizard (2), Jamie Thompson and Stuart Wright completed the rout.

Robbie Coombs' first goal for two seasons for Wingfield was cancelled out by North Star B's Christian Simpson. In extra time Andy Harding and Mark Barnett (penalty) scored to secure a far from convincing 3-1 victory for Wingfield.

The first half between Biddestone Social Club and AFC Unicorn was a tightly contested affair with Biddestone producing the better finishing to go in 2-0 up at half-time, thanks to a 35-yard free kick from John O'Meara and a strike from Danny Jones.

Unicorn were rewarded for their toils when Clint Cabral smashed home from eight yards after great work from Lee Scutter. Unicorn continued to press but were caught on the break as O'Meara crashed home from 20 yards to move Biddestone 3-1 in front.

Unicorn earned a further consolation as Trevor Whicello headed past his own goalkeeper to make the final score 3-2 in favour of the village side.

Premier Division Bradford News overcame a potential banana skin as they defeated Division Two outfit Spencer Sports 4-2. Darren Morris's powerful shot found its way home to give the Newsmen the perfect start. Kevin Gibson had the simplest of tap-ins to restore parity before Russell Francis controlled a clearance from Sports goalkeeper Nick Evans to return it over his head and into the empty net for a 2-1 lead. Francis added a third for the News and then unselfishly set up Morris for his second and the Bradford side's fourth, after Steve Cleverly had scored the Sports second.

Fourth Division Classic FC's Nick Spill netted twice for his team but his double was not enough to save his side from going down 6-2 to Division One Maud Heath Sports, whose goals came from Dean Slade (2), Dave Beal (2), Adie Simpkins and Matthew Waite.

Phil Conrath bagged Four Seasons' solitary goal against Corsham Park Rangers who gained revenge over the Chippenham-based team who, as the King Alfred, knocked them out last season. Paul Smith (2) and an own goal saw Rangers home 3-1.

Steve Lucas (2), Rob Varley, Steve McCall and Andy Long were all on target for Colerne B, who needed extra time before disposing of KSM 5-2. Jason Cole (penalty) and Andy Scott, who had given KSM the lead, were the losers' marksmen.

Chippenham Police and Farmhouse FC were involved in an eight-goal thriller, with the boys in blue picking up their first victory of the new campaign by battling to a 5-3 victory. Farmhouse goalkeeper Neil Taylor opened the scoring for the Police with a bizarre own goal that saw the keeper rifle the ball into his own net. Paul Dodimead, Mark Simpson, Dan Strong and Craig Dolby shared the other goals. Ulian Serafimov, Lee Hayward and substitute Gary Wright replied.

All Cannings B were no match for Premier Division Hullavington who won 4-0, Craig Samuels (3) and Nick Cole doing the damage.

Pack Horse could field only 10 players against Division Four side The Plough, but they still managed a 3-0 win with goals from Richard Chaffey, Pete Humphrey and an own goal.

Craig Chaplin volleyed home Percy's opener against Old Road Tavern and from then the outcome was never in doubt as the top flight team cruised to an 8-2 win. Tom Laver (3), Frank Rogers (2), Steve Curtis, and Chris Curry made up the eight, with Martin Woolford and Adam Taylor on target for the Tavern.

Roadrunners' fine form continued as they overcame Third Division rivals Corsham Centre 6-4. Andy Zuk's solo effort put Roadrunners ahead and Carl Gilbert (2) and Keith Taylor moved their side 4-0 in front before John Horne reduced the arrears. Steve Ivin set up Gilbert for his hat-trick as Roadrunners took control at 5-1. The deficit was dragged right back as United scored through Horne, Ashley Rich and Dave Bolland to make the score 5-4, but Gilbert completed the scoring as he took his tally to four as Roadrunners eased home 6-4.

A 25th-minute goal from Lee Campbell was enough to earn Rowde a 1-0 win over neighbours Potterne.

Sir Audley's Arms were made to fight for 90 minutes before over coming the challenge of Trowbridge Town Supporters' Club 2-1. Lloyd Griffiths fired the Town ahead in the 10th minute, an advantage they held until 10 minutes from time when John Witts, who was playing in his penultimate game before leaving for Australia, netted from the penalty spot. Wayne Burry hit the Arms' winner in the 85th minute.

A Paul McCarthy treble, including a goal after just 20 seconds, was unable to save Pig and Whistle United from defeat by First Division The George Lacock. Martin Symcox (3), Andy Joad (penalty), Roger Gordon and Tim Culling scored in the George's 6-3 win.

Cup favourites Box Rovers needed all their experience to keep out an in-form West Lavington side. Rovers won 4-1 with James Lye, Kirk Boobyer, Ben Sammut and Ryan Bush sharing the goals.

Fourth Division White Horse FC gave Bradford Sports a fright before succumbing 5-4. Paul Phelps (2) and Mark Pugh (2) scored for White Horse.

Division Two

SUTTON Benger gained revenge for their recent 3-0 defeat by North Star A.

In a very competitive game Benger went behind early in the first half, as Ron Smythe netted for the Star. Benger netted their equaliser through Steve Gawke just before the break.

Brad Jenkins went close to giving Benger the lead as he outpaced the opposition before firing just wide. Benger got the breakthrough they were looking for midway through the second period when North Star were unlucky to be penalised for a handball in the box. Ian Dawkins stepped up to dispatch the penalty with ease to earn Benger a 2-1 win.

Division Three

COOPER-AVON are still searching for their first win in over two seasons after losing 5-3 to the Hare and Hounds.

An own goal and two for Merv Cox gave hope to Avon, but they were outgunned by doubles from both Paul Revening and Nick Mooney and a single from Paul Young.