One day somebody will think up a better way of deciding stalemated cup-ties but until then we shall have penalty shoot-outs and inevitably somebody will feel hard done by.
Feckenham wrapped up the tie after Aaron Roberts and Shaun Maynard's spot kicks were well save by home 'keeper Wayne Bradshaw. But there was controversy when Chris Mole saved Feckenham's second attempt only for referee Mr Croy to order a re-take as he judged that Mole had moved off his line. James Burke duly despatched the second kick.
Whether that incident changed the course of the match is a mute point but Sporting supporters were not happy as they advised Mr Croy when they considered that Bradshaw had also moved too early.
Over the 120 minutes of play, Feckenham will probably consider they shaded the match and deserved the tie but Sporting had their moments particularly in the first 10 minutes but poor finishing cost them a couple of good chances.
After surviving the initial pressure, Feckenham found their balance and kept Sporting well pinned back for the next half hour. Brendan Hicks looked impressive getting past Chris Bright only to see Chris Mole keep the shot out with his fingertips. Stuart Hall also failed narrowly from close range but it was Hicks who broke the deadlock on 38 minutes when the Sporting defence failed to clear and the striker had plenty of time to hit the back of the net from just five yards.
Jamie Rogers went off injured just before the interval and was replaced by Dan Wilkes returning from suspension. He positioned himself behind the two strikers and giving them support appeared to give Sporting the impetus they lacked up front in the first 45 minutes.
The deserved equaliser came five minutes from time when Chris Bright put a great ball into the box for Shaun Maynard; he controlled it well before sliding past the left hand of Wayne Bradshaw.
With the score all square at 90 minutes, an extra half-hour was played but with several players needing treatment for cramp, chances were few. However both teams hit the woodwork with Richard Griffiths on 94 minutes forcing visiting 'keeper Mole to palm the bar against the bar that mercifully for him bounced out then ten minutes later there was an identical incident with Michael Woolman and Wayne Bradshaw.
With score still level at 120 minutes, penalties settled the tie with David Edwards getting Feckenham's decider.
Overall this was a better performance from Sporting against a skilful Feckenham team, ironically playing in green and white stripes. As with previous matches, too many opportunities went begging but the defence looked pretty solid against a useful forward line.
Feckenham (green & white shirts, black shorts, green/black socks, 4-3-3) - Wayne Bradshaw; Ashley Bunn, Dean Brierley, Daniel Janes, James Hands; Jordan Jones, Craig Frampton (Robbie Bunn 69 mins), James Burke (David Edwards 56 mins); Brendan Hicks, Stuart Hall, Kelvin White (Capt).
Substitutes not used: Grant Humphries, Andrew Wardle.
Sporting (red & white shirts, blue shorts, blue socks, 4-4-2) - Chris Mole; Chris Bright (James Bradley 106 mins), Richard Griffiths (Capt), Danny Patrick, Gareth Rogers; Aaron Roberts, James McKeon, Jamie Rogers (Dan Wilkes 38 mins), Zach Blood (Nick Allen 40 mins); Shaun Maynard, Michael Woolman. Substitutes not used: Neil Cooksey, Stewart James.