The New Saints broke their penalty hoodoo as they saw off Carmarthen Town to reach the quarter-finals of the JD Welsh Cup.

It wasn’t the greatest of spectacles with chances few and far between in both halves with the JD Cymru South side doing well to frustrate their higher-level opponents and force penalties.

Anthony Limbrick’s side held their composure from the spot though, and enjoyed their first shootout success since 2017, when they were victorious against Queen of the South in the Irn-Bru Cup.

The first chance of the game fell to Limbrick’s side with seven minutes gone but Dean Ebbe failed to convert following Danny Redmond’s pull-back.

Border Counties Advertizer: Action fromTNS' Welsh Cup win at Carmarthen Town. Picture by Brian Jones.

TNS' Louis Robles in Welsh Cup action at Carmarthen Town. Picture by Brian Jones.

The Saints continued to cause problems for the Old Gold in the early stages and a Leo Smith effort from the edge of the box caused a goalmouth scramble in the 14th minute.

After an uninspiring opening 45 minutes, Limbrick’s team upped the ante following the restart, and it took a superb save from Carmarthen goalkeeper Scott James to keep the scores level with an acrobatic save to deny Adrian Cieslewicz.

Louis Robles had an effort blocked from inside the box before Cieslewicz came close to opening the scoring once more.

Border Counties Advertizer: Action fromTNS' Welsh Cup win at Carmarthen Town. Picture by Brian Jones.

TNS' Adrian Cieslewicz in Welsh Cup action at Carmarthen Town. Picture by Brian Jones.

The Saints were dominating the game going into the final 15 minutes but Chris Marriott was shown a second yellow card for a late challenge on Jordan Vickers leaving his side a man light for the remainder of the match.

Despite a late flurry of chances for both teams, including an edge-of-the-box free-kick from Declan McManus, there was no way through the Carmarthen defence.

Both sides showed great technique from the spot, and all bar one of the 10 penalties failed to reach their intended target.

Connor Roberts’ fine save from Thomas Dyson proved the difference as Anthony Limbrick’s side clinched a 5-4 victory.

Meanwhile Guilsfield booked their place in the last eight of the JD Welsh Cup with a 2-1 win at Swansea University.

Chris Cathrall broke the deadlock after 15 minutes after the home defence failed to clear Iwan Matthews' low left wing cross before Andy Ford doubled the tally 10 minutes later to give the JD Cymru North side the edge at the University Centre.

Ollie Roberts reduced the arrears late on with a 25 yard free-kick but it was too late to prevent Nathan Leonard's side celebrating a place in the quarter-finals.