AFTER watching Harriers' exit the FA Trophy in the most dramatic fashion on Wednesday night I have had my faith restored in the drama of the most cruel but unmissable way to decide a match - the penalty shoot-out.

Harriers' 13-12 loss to York on penalties was a crushing blow for Harriers and the fans who had made the 300 mile round trip to watch the clash but everyone, apart from Mark Yates because he couldn't bear to watch the spectacle, must have admitted it was pure box office entertainment.

Penalties are much derided and for good reason, it's a brutal, unforgiving way to settle a match, which relies on a moment of mental weakness from a player at the most crucial time.

It can be hard on the better team who have crumbled at the final moments, like Manchester United who lost to Arsenal on penalties in the 2005 FA Cup Final.

It's not in the spirit of 'the game', but it's the only logical way to settle a match where it's clear that neither side is able to win but won't give up.

Wednesday night's 30 minutes of penalties were more entertaining than the 210 minutes of football that had been played before and with every successfully converted spot-kick (25 in a row) the tension in the ground heightened.

It meant that the meagre crowd of less than 700 felt more like ten times that as the gasps, cheers and tears became more audible. That effect is in itself something very special.

Of course I feel for the intrepid fans who made the effort, Harriers' players and particularly Justin Richards, who had produced a bit of magic to get Harriers back into the game.

There is the small consolation that they will be included in a little bit of the club's folklore, albeit a slice than won't be remembered too fondly.