St Albans City made it through to the final of the Herts Senior Challenge Cup last night after beating Watford 3-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw.

Dean Snedker was the Saints’ hero in the shoot-out, saving two of the Hornets’ first three penalties before Michael Clark struck the winner to send the hosts through.

Lewis Knight got St Albans on their way at a soaked Clarence Park, hooking his effort towards the goal as the ball bounced down from a Dave Diedhiou corner and it went in off the underside of the crossbar.

The Saints then came close on three occasions, firstly when Tom Bender headed straight at James Hoskins in the Watford goal, and then David Moyo and Solomon Sambou also had their strikes saved by the young keeper.

The Saints continued to pressure their opponents, but the game began to turn in the second half, eventually resulting in an equaliser for the visitors.

A slip from Clark allowed the Hornets in, with Snedker making the save, but the ball was played back into the danger area and Ryan Cassidy took a touch before netting the equaliser.

St Albans had an excellent chance to win the game deep into extra-time when debutant Liam Sole, on loan from MK Dons, was brought down in the box, but Zane Banton’s effort from the spot hit the post before going wide.

The match went to penalties to decide the competition’s first finalist and Watford missed their opening three kicks, allowing the Saints to take a two-goal shoot-out lead through Jordan Sanderson and Banton.

Joy Mukena and a trialist scored for Watford either side of Ben Wyatt’s miss, but Clark’s successful spot-kick confirmed the win for Ian Allinson’s side and sent them through to the final to face either Stevenage, Hemel Hempstead Town or Boreham Wood.