A totally dominant half from Parkway who controlled possession throughout creating numerous chances but failed to convert them and too often unable to hit the target with at times their final ball lacking quality and accuracy.

Brixham defended resolutely and in numbers with Nichol also making some important saves but apart from their early chance and a half chance late on, rarely threatened or put the Parkway defence under any sustained pressure.

Brixham made 3 changes at half time with Charlie Johansen, Scott Robinson and Sean Adderley entering the fray. Parkway made a good start to the half continuing to dominate the early stages and were rewarded when they took a deserved lead on 54 minutes.

A corner from the left by Lane saw a close range shot from Cairo blocked with the ball being recycled and reaching Lane whose angled cross saw Crago glide home a header from around 8 yards giving Nichol no chance.

Brixham gradually began to get back into the game and on 57 minutes a deep cross from the left to the far post by Danny Gaze saw Robinson’s close range header from point blank range superbly saved low down at his near post by Parkes. Play quickly switched to the other end with Joe Belsten chasing a long ball and forcing another corner which was well defended.

With the game now becoming a more even affair and Brixham having more possession, they drew level on 62 minutes. A free kick 30 yards out was headed behind for a corner from which a scuffed Parkway clearance at the near post saw Aaron Wellington react quickest to the loose ball and poke home from close range.

Parkway immediately made a double change with Wilson and Jones being replaced by Purrington and Alex Lolot. Brixham now playing with more intensity and looking more dangerous began to press higher and force errors from Parkway in midfield. On 63 minutes Kieran Parkin became the first to see yellow after a foul and it was he who almost put Brixham ahead in the 65th minute. A long ball down the left saw him race clear beyond the last defender with his cross shot beating Parkes and rebounding off the far post and coming back to him at pace only for him to sky the rebound over an open goal from close range. A huge let off for Parkway.

Parkway continued to threaten with Brixham having their fair share of possession but Parkway defended well with Toby Down and Halls looking solid and dominating the aerial battles. Tom Mortimore replaced Wellington for the hosts on 68 minutes with Gaze being cautioned shortly after for a series of persistent infringements.

Williams replaced Chip Lolot on 70 minutes as Parkway continued to apply pressure with Crago’s effort on 72 minutes going straight at Nichol who saved comfortably. The busy Garside then shot just over with Parkway making their final changes on 75 minutes with Aaron Goulty and Moulden replacing Cairo and Belsten. Entering the final 10 minutes Brixham created a couple of half chances with Johansen firing an angled drive just wide on 81 minutes.

Parkway had strong appeals for a penalty waved away on 86 minutes after Halls header from a corner appeared to cannon off a hand in a crowded 6 yard box. Williams then saw his weaving run from deep halted by a foul by Parkin who received a yellow card.

Parkway continued to apply pressure seeing a couple of shots blocked and cleared but again their final ball often lacked the quality to penetrate the Brixham defence.

In the 6 minutes of added time and a penalty shootout looming, Parkway almost won the game at the death. On 93 minutes a break by Purrington set up Moulden who showing good close control dragged his effort narrowly wide. On 95 minutes another penetrating run by Williams set up Crago whose rasping drive was pushed on to the post by Nichol and behind for a corner which was cleared only as far as Garside whose cross was headed narrowly over by Down with the referee calling time shortly after.

The penalty shootout saw Brixham take the first kick with the veteran Gaze blazing wildly over the bar. Brixham then converted their next 4 with Parkes guessing correctly on a couple of occasions getting a hand to 2 of them. Lane, Garside, Purrington, Halls all converted for Parkway with Nichol also getting a hand on a couple with Crago showing coolness under pressure by netting the decisive 5th penalty for Parkway to see them into the next round.

An entertaining game played in a good spirit with Parkway completely dominating the 1st half from front to back playing some incisive, flowing football but unable to convert any of the chances their approach play warranted. A more even 2nd half with chances at either end with Parkway still unable to show the ruthlessness required in the final third with Brixham competing well and providing more of an attacking threat. Considering the number of changes made, an encouraging display from Parkway, albeit against lower league opponents, with the squad rotation giving some fringe players valuable playing time.

A word of praise for the referee, along with his assistants, who controlled the game in a sensible, unfussy manner letting the game flow as much as possible. One of the better ones witnessed this season.

Parkway return to Bolitho Park on Saturday when Southern League Division 1 Frome Town are the visitors in the 2nd Round Qualifying of the Emirates FA Cup.