Wingate and Finchley played out a forgettable loss on penalties to Northwood in the Middlesex Charity Cup last night.

Chances were few and far between in a goalless draw littered with stoppages, and for both sides the final ball was lacking at the crucial moment.

Thankfully, the crowd was spared 30 extra minutes at the end as Charity Cup games go straight to penalties.

After eight accomplished spot-kicks from both sets of takers, Wingate’s Marc Charles-Smith saw his effort tipped on to the post, before Sam Tring stepped up to win the shootout for the Northwood.

A large part of Northwood’s coaching and playing staff used to play for the Blues and they seemed right at home early on, Kweku-Conrad Lucan firing over after working himself a good chance in Wingate’s box.

From a similar angle Ola Williams blazed his chance over Northwood’s crossbar before the break.

Woods’ goalkeeper Luke Sheldrick had his palms warmed by a Reece Beckles-Richards flick, but Charles-Smith’s close-range swipe never troubled the goal.

Northwood could have won it on the counter attack at the end but Lucan again fluffed his lines and the game headed to penalties goalless.

A succession of well-taken penalties started the shootout off, but it was Wingate who blinked first.

Charles-Smith telegraphed a penalty for Sheldrick to palm on to the post and clear. Tring then sent Gore the wrong way to put Northwood in to the next round.

Wingate’s new management duo, Nicky Shorey and Glen Little, will take charge of their first game at home against Leatherhead on Non-League Day this Saturday.