RANDALL BUTT reports as United step closer to the twin towers.

LACK of practice made perfect as Cambridge United hit five precision penalties to reach the Southern semi-final of the Shield.

Manger Roy McFarland, remembering the heartache of the penalties defeat at Nottingham Forest in the Worthington Cup, deliberately steered clear of spot kicks all week in training.

"We had a special practice session before the Forest game and it went wrong," he said. "This time I didn't want the players having them on their minds. I just made a list of the five names 10 minutes before the end of extra time, asked John Taylor to do the same and we had the same people.

"Richard Walker was the gamble. We weren't sure whether it would put too much pressure on the youngster, but we went with it."

Any pressure was magnified by the fact that the 21-year-old Aston Villa loannee walked up to take the crucial kick, number four, after goalkeeper Arjan Van Heusden had saved Exeter's third from Brian Quailey. But he slipped the ball nonchalently inside the left-hand post, with keeper Ashley Bayes hardly moving.

"It didn't bother me," claimed the striker. "I'd have been happy taking the first one. It made up for not scoring in the match. I had a clear shot, but I tried to slide it past the keeper and hit him."

That was one of two excellent chances United had at the end of normal time and extra time, to bring a happy earlier end to a dreary windswept struggle. Walker's opportunity came in the 90th minute. Then Trevor Benjamin, who had hammered United in front what seemed years ago ­ in the ninth minute ­ blazed wide in the 123rd!

"I should have scored, or at least hit the target," he said. "We got through without playing very well."

He looked certain to save his team- mates from the tension of the shoot-out when Walker's pass set him up just eight yards out. But it would have denied another big Abbey Stadium crowd for this competition the penalty drama they deserved for staying to the bitter end of what Benjamin accurately described as a very patchy performance.

His early goal was the only real first- half threat from United, apart from Ben Chenery's 32nd minute centre which the swirling wind turned into a shot that bounced off the crossbar. Van Heusden had more to do at the other end against a wind-assisted attack, twice saving well from the only local boy on the pitch, Exeter's former Foxton forward, Steve Flack, and watching a Shaun Gale free kick scrape the bar.

When United turned around after the break however, playing towards their favourite Corona Kop end, with the wind at their backs, it seemed a formality they would get the second goal to put the tie beyond the West Countrymen's reach. But territorial advantage produced little in front of goal. Taylor faded out of the game while midfielder Neil Mustoe could not contribute his usual energy.

Exeter, despite two long trips in three days, plus a hard game on the Scarborough bog, did their disrupting and defending well. And when Flack snatched their equaliser in the 65th minute enough wind was knocked out of United's sails to becalm them for what felt like an interminable slog to the final whistle and through extra time.

"They should have the Golden Goal from the start of normal time," shouted one bored customer. And indeed there seemed no chance of either leg-weary team finding a nugget among the dross to bring the stalemate to a sudden death end.

Van Heusden prevented what for the United fans would have been the absolutely worst outcome when he deflected a 105th minute shot from Jason Rees, the midfielder they loved to hate during his undistinguished spell at the Abbey last season.

The Dutchman followed up with the vital penalty save before Andy Duncan, in driving rain, swept home the fifth spot kick to take his team into the final four in the southern draw.

Cambridge United moved to within two stages of Wembley by defeating a brave Exeter City side only after two hours of football and a penalty shoot out. There might not have been a 'Golden Goal' during extra time to settle the encounter, but five golden penalties guided United into the southern section semi-finals for the first time in their history.

A team of individuals stumbled their way through the match without ever slipping into top gear. Exeter were left perplexed during the first half as they watched their lively and powerful front line tear the United defence into shreds, without scoring a goal. The fingertips by which United were hanging onto the game remarkably served as a platform to score the first goal. A quick counter-attacking move caught Exeter by surprise and a brilliant surging run from Butler followed by a killer ball to the far post enabled Trevor Benjamin to lash a shot into the top left hand corner of the Exeter net.

This came shortly after Steve Flack had missed a sitter in front of the Abbey. Jamie Campbell robbed Quailey of the ball, only to watch it break free across the face of the goal. Flack was stunned to see his goal bound attempt superbly saved by Arjan Van Heusden.

United were struggling to find their feet, playing into strong winds and against a team brimming with confidence. Exeter were overpowering United in midfield, and both Mustoe and Wanless failed to impose themselves on the game. Exeter had two opportunities to take the lead shortly after the opening goal for United, but found Arjan Van Heusden in sparkling form. He tipped a 11th minute free kick onto the bar and over, and from the resulting corner the ball was fed out to Jason Rees who saw his shot fly inches over the bar.

This scare appeared to settle the U's down into a rhythm, and they began to show glimpses of the attacking play needed to dismantle the Exeter defence. Martin Butler broke free down the right flank, and his cross was neatly controlled by Russell before Mustoe fired a shot over the bar and into the vacant allotments behind the south stand. Exeter then swarmed forward once again, and only another well-timed tackle from Jamie Campbell prevented the equalising goal. Quailey was clean through in the 20th minute but the inconsistent defender stuck out a foot to concede a corner kick.

Exeter's missed chances looked as though they would be punished as United stepped up a gear shortly before half time. Trevor Benjamin capitalised on a defensive mix up and sneaked in between goalkeeper and defender to stab an effort just wide of the near post. Another neat run by Martin Butler on the right then enabled Alex Russell to fire in a shot on 40 minutes that Ashley Bayes in the Exeter goal did well to smother. Just before the half time whistle it looked as though the twin towers of Wembley would become even more prominent on the horizon, but Trevor Benjamin's thunderbolt of a shot was acrobatically saved by Bayes.

The score line was perhaps a little flattering to United, as there was nothing between the teams during the first period. How Exeter's neat attacking play, along with the strong winds behind their back did not produce a goal is remarkable. At the back United were looking uncharacteristically shaky, doing their best to prove Exeter forward Steve Flack's pre-match comments correct.

United started the second period in determined mood, and had a host of chances to put the game beyond City. Alex Russell watched a 25-yard screamer skim the top of the bar shortly after re-start, and Trevor Benjamin began to scare the life out of Exeter down the left-hand side. His neat run on 53 minutes was crudely ended by an Exeter defender, and the resulting free kick ricocheted around in the box before finding Paul Wanless at the far post whose headed attempt went just over.

Martin Butler capitalised on poor control from Ashley Bayes on the hour mark, as the goalkeepers clearance struck him on the shins. Luckily for Bayes the ball rolled to safety but could have just as easily nestled in the back of the net. Almost immediately Exeter found themselves back in the game, as former Foxton striker Steve Flack stabbed in at the far post. The lively Quailey once again broke free of Jamie Campbell, and with the United defence all over the place slid the ball across the six-yard box where Flack was waiting to complete the move on 65 minutes.

There were to be few other clear-cut opportunities in normal time, but it was United who looked the slightly more creative and ambitious side. Poor distribution into the box gave Bayes some catching practice, as ultimately United's sometimes-neat approach play flattered to deceive the large crowd.

The game looked to be heading for extra time, and the 'Golden Goal' rule, when in the second minute of injury time Richard Walker found himself clean through on goal with only the keeper' to beat. Bayes spread himself well and saved the young strikers effort with his feet to secure a nervous and tentative extra 30 minutes of football would be played.

Exeter started the first period of extra-time in determined fashion, as they looked to settle the tie after only a few minutes. Steve Flack broke free of the United defence, but Jamie Campbell recovered well to deny the in-form striker. Shortly after this early scare, referee Mr Brandwood missed a clear handball in the United penalty box which hushed the Abbey into silence.

Exeter continued to look the most lively and most likely team to score. Former United player Jason Rees watched his 99th minute shot fly just over the bar, and from the resulting counter attack came the pivotal point in the match. Martin Butler once again surged forward, and ran across the path of Power forcing the defender to haul him to the ground. The referee had no hesitation in showing the player his second and third cards of the match, as Exeter were reduced to 10 men and retreated back into their shells for the remainder of the encounter.

The second period of extra-time was dominated and controlled by United, who should have finished the game off with ease. Alex Russell's fine 110 minute cross found Benjamin at the far post who was robbed of the ball at the last moment by a frantic City defender. Seconds later the bulky striker laid the ball on a plate for Ian Ashbee, who watched his shot from 8 yards fly over the bar. In taking the shot he took a knock from an Exeter defender and was replaced by Tom Youngs.

In the very last minute of extra-time a fine run and cross from Richard Walker found Alex Russell on the penalty spot. He slipped a gold-plated ball to Trevor Benjamin who took one touch before unleashing a shot which grazed the wrong side of the near post. It was to be the last kick of the game, but unfortunately for United it was not because he had scored the first 'Golden Goal' in the history of Cambridge United, but because the referee signalled the end of extra-time.

The penalty shoot out was an accurate, scientific and ruthless affair. Cambridge United scored their first four penalties, whistle Exeter only managed to score three as on-loan Striker Quailey watched the Ice Man save low to his left hand post. This left Andy Duncan, who had a faultless performance throughout the 120 minutes, knowing his penalty would secure a semi-final place for United. He coolly dispatched high into the top corner to send the Abbey Stadium into late night scenes of wild celebration.

It wouldn't be hard to feel sorry for Exeter, who with a bit more luck in front of goal would have rewarded their hardy and boisterous travelling supporters with more than just pride from a hard working performance. That, along with the agony of a penalty shoot out defeat would have made for a long trip back to Devon.

After our defeat at Nottingham Forest I said that penalty shootouts are not quite a lottery. Class, ability and confidence often come through. Tonight, it was Cambridge United who used their superior ability during a five-star penalty shoot out to mask a rather unremarkable team performance.

Man of the Match: Martin Butler proved once again his ability to score goals is not his only attribute. A superb performance in which he made the United goal, and simply looked a class act during a pulsating 120-minute performance of non-stop running and determination.

Cambridge United's second penalty shootout of the season ended happily for most of the bumper AWS crowd tonight as the distant smell of Wembley tempted a surprising 2,741 to take advantage of the discounted prices. But unlike the shootout disappointment at Nottingham Forest in October, they saw five successful penalty kicks and a save from Arjan Van Heusden ensure that the U's are in the hat for the Southern semi-final draw.

As expected, United fielded an unchanged side tonight in the third round of the Auto Windscreens Shield, with the same 14 on duty from the victory over Torquay ten days ago. The Grecians included former U's skipper Jason Rees and Cambridge-born striker Steve Flack, but were without skipper Jon Richardson and midfielder Chris Holloway who were injured in their weekend defeat at Scarborough.

After heavy rain this morning, the Abbey Stadium pitch was described as 'soggy' down the Main Stand side but otherwise in remarkably good condition. United got off to a poor start, possibly hampered by having to play into a strong wind, and after just four minutes a slip by Mark Joseph let in Brian Quailey. The on-loan WBA man found Steve Flack, leaving the big striker one-on-one with Arjan Van Heusden, but the Dutchman saved well. United broke away immediately and Jamie Campbell's cross was just inches over Martin Butler's head.

Then in the ninth minute United took the lead after another quick breakaway. Butler led the charge before feeding the ball to Trevor Benjamin just inside the box, and he fired the ball through the diving keeper's hands to put the U's ahead.

Four minutes later the weather gave United a scare when Jimmy Gardner's freekick caught on the wind and Van Heusden was forced to tip it onto the bar, but United countered with a chance in the 18th minute. Butler escaped down the right, his cross was brilliantly controlled by Alex Russell who fed the ball to Mustoe, but the little midfielder's shot flew into the allotments. In the 21st minute Quailey was through but as he was poised to shoot Campbell nicked the ball off his toe and behind for a corner, and Gardner's corner kick eluded a host of Exeter forwards before flying to safety.

With the wind affecting proceedings and both sides making errors and looking shaky in defence it was surprising that neither scored before half-time, although United had another clutch of chances. After 35 minutes Butler broke away before slipping the ball to Russell, who sidefooted the ball at Ashley Bayes. Crossed wires between the 'keeper and defender Shaun Gayle over a 43rd minute back-pass let in Benjamin whose toe-poke from just outside the box went wide of the post. Then in injury time the lively Benjamin burst into the box and his shot deflected off Gayle to draw a brilliant one-handed reflex save from Bayes. (Half-time 1-0)

United started the second half with the wind behind them and created some good early chances. First Alex Russell's dipping shot from 25 yards was just over the bar (51), then on the hour Benjamin put a cross into the danger area but Paul Wanless - who picked up a head wound in a clash with Bayes in the first half - just failed to connect with a diving header.

Exeter had another scare in the 64th minute when Bayes mis-controlled a backpass and Butler got a foot in, but the ball spun to safety and a minute later the Grecians were level. Quailey seemed to have lost the ball to a Jamie Campbell challenge but somehow won the ball back, beat Campbell and set up local boy Steve Flack for a simple finish at the far post.

United pressed forward looking for another goal and produced a flurry of chances in a good spell. First Ben Chenery went on a mazy run in the 70th minute but placed his cross straight into the goalkeeper's arms, and then in the 73rd minute Wanless' dangerous cross was just missed by Benjamin. Two minutes later a Russell freekick was glanced wide by Benjamin, and in the 80th minute Campbell's deep cross was headed inches over by Wanless. Then in the 90th minute substitute striker Richard Walker found himself alone running at Bayes, but the keeper spread himself well and Walker's shot struck him. The final chance of normal time came when Alex Russell's freekick flew over the bar. (1-1 at 90 mins)

The game went into 'sudden death' extra-time, where the first goal scored would settle the game. Exeter forced the pace of the first 15 minute period and after 100 minutes Breslan got on the end of Power's deep cross, but headed tamely at Van Heusden. Then five minutes later a corner was cleared to Jason Rees but his effort dipped over the bar. United broke away, Martin Butler was fouled by Power and the referee had no alternative but to show a second yellow card and send Power off just before the short break to change ends.

After the short break to change ends the edgy game continued in the rain and United continued to carve out chances. In the 113th minute Alex Russell's raking cross found Trevor Benjamin at the far post but the big striker was robbed by Clark as he brought the ball down. In the 118th minute Benjamin turned provider when his cross was knocked down by Wanless to Ian Ashbee, but the substitute was stretching to connect and the ball flew over the bar. Ashbee limped off to be replaced by Tom Youngs a minute later, but as late as the 123rd minute the U's could still have avoided the nail-biting climax. Richard Walker found some space and slid a great ball to Benjamin, leaving the striker one on one with Bayes on the angle eight yards out, but somehow he contrived to put the chance wide. (Full-time 1-1)

The penalties were taken at the Newmarket Road End and there was a scramble of bodies from the Main Stand as they raced to swell the home support behind the goal.

1-0 - Butler, sent keeper wrong way
1-1 - Flack, central shot as Van Heusden dived
2-1 - Wanless, central shot as Bayes dived
2-2 - Wilkinson, sent keeper wrong way
3-2 - Russell, confident shot bamboozled stationary Bayes
3-2 - Quailey, Van Heusden saved to left-hand side
4-2 - Walker, sent keeper wrong way
4-3 - Rees, tucked past keeper
5-3 - Duncan, coolly fired under the crossbar to win the tie!

Mark Johnson's Man of the Match: Martin Butler - "he kept going for the whole match".