Melville United might just let themselves start believing in their Chatham Cup dream after upsetting Northern Premier League pacesetters Birkenhead United 3-2 in pulsating start to quarterfinal weekend at Hamilton's Gower Park today.
Scott Hilliar twice gave the Northern League first division side the lead inside the opening 20 minutes
but his first - after an incisive Jama Boss run - was cancelled out after just a minute with Bill Tuiloma producing a 12th minute equaliser.
Hilliar restored the advantage with a 19th minute inswinging corner that beat everybody but it wasn't until Aaron Scott converted a retaken penalty just shy of the hour mark - after Shane Norton encroached in saving the first attempt - that the 1500 strong Gower Park crowd could really entertain thoughts of reaching the semi finals for the first time since the club lost the final in 2003.
Even then, Tuiloma made sure it was a nervous final 20 minutes when he thumped his second goal to reduce the deficit.
The home side rode their luck under sustained pressure from the North Shore visitors but a crossbar-rattling Sam Margetts shot was as close as they came to forcing extra time as a second yellow card for Birkenhead playmaker Jack Hobson-McVeigh killed their hopes in the dying minutes.
