The Division 2 leaders were already up against it with 6 first team players unavailable and Andrew James and Gary Wigmore were called up from the reserves to help out.

Anthony Kiernan made his Cardea debut in a back three with Michael Williams and Dale Moore in front of goalkeeper Creek. Kynan Bereznyckyj and Andrew James played as wingbacks.

The midfield three was Shane Cooke, Daryl Patrick and Adam Simons with Luke Penman and Daniel Robinson up top.

Cardea took the lead in the 12th minute when a long ball forward by Moore found the run of Cooke and the leading goalscorer finished it for 1-0.

The lead was doubled in the 25th minute. A Simons corner was tapped in from close range by Robinson for his second goal in the McCain Cup.

The match changed in the 32nd minute when Creek was adjudged to bring down the Walnut Tree striker in the area and the referee sent the goalkeeper off, despite his protests the attacker had dived. Simons took the gloves for the remainder of the match but could do nothing with the penalty.

Cardea had to change their formation to a 4-4-1 with Penman acting as long striker. It was a role he thrived in and he extended the Cardea lead just before the break. Patrick cut the ball back for Penman to finish with ease.

After half time the Walnut Tree goalkeeper was busy as he saved a shot from Penman and a rare shot by Dale Moore.

But he could do nothing about Cardea's forth goal. It was Moore again driving forward and his through ball was finished well by Penman.

The game looked done and dusted but it wasn't to be as Walnut Tree produced a spirited fightback as their extra man began to tell and they scored two goals in five minutes to reduce the deficit to 4-3.

Cooke then had a superb chance to wrap the game up when he went past the goalkeeper but he stood on the ball and the danger was cleared.

Walnut Tree took advantage and equalised with 6 minutes to go. A through ball was tucked away by the Walnut Tree striker to level the match up.

The goal seemed to fire Cardea back up and they hit back with two quick goals to stop the tie going into extra time and send Cardea through.

Penman completed his hat-trick as he headed in a Bereznyckyj cross and then 2 minutes later Bereznyckyj was the architect again as he passed to Cooke who took the ball past four defenders and scored his second of the day.

The referee brought the entertaining contest to a finish and Cardea made it through to the next round.

After the game joint manager Kev Webster said: "With everything against us after Creeky getting sent off we stuck together well. We always looked threatening going forward even with a man less. Credit to all the lads for sticking to it and showing great character to come back to win after being pegged back 4-4.

"For me the whole back line looked solid, was a good display from debutant Tett. Dale and Willy remained at their best with Dale showing good form going forward with a rare shot on target. I couldn't pick a man of the match. Kynan's two late assists and excellent tacking, Penman's constant running and hat trick, Cookie for his two goals and all round battling display and Frags deserves a mention for coming back into the first and playing well. You all deserve man of the match. Credit needs to go to Simons for stepping up and going in goal for us. Well done lads."

Craig Robinson added: "We were comfortable until the red card then we had to dig in and hit on the counter attack. Penman played as a lone striker superbly and stretched their back 4. My man of the match was Frags for his countless tackles and interceptions."

Cardea Reserves will join the first team in the quarter finals after beating Division 3 champions Fletton Sports on penalties after a goalless draw.

Next week it's back to league action for Cardea FC when they take on Diesel Power at Bushfield.