Hendon's interest in the League Cup ended in the second round as they lost a penalty shoot-out against near neighbours Wingate & Finchley at Vale Farm on Wednesday night.

The Greens used the match as an opportunity to give games to a number of players in need of match practice and this included a first start in 11 months for Casey Maclaren and a seat on the bench for Lee O'Leary, his first match since breaking his leg at Horsham in March.

But things looked really good for Hendon when they opened the scoring in the fifth minute, Billy DUNN finishing off a flowing move with a neat piece of control and a calm finish past Gavin King.

Instead of going on from there, Hendon allowed Wingate & Finchley back into the match and they deservedly drew level after 25 minutes when Michael Lenahan was left unmarked in front of goal and he headed past Berkley Laurencin.

Laurencin kept Hendon in the tie for most of the rest of the first half with a handful of excellent saves while the Greens - a good one or two yards slower to loose balls than the Blues - barely mustered another worthwhile attempt on goal until Dunn fired narrowly wind and hit a post with efforts five minutes before the break.

In the second half, Dunn limped off with an ankle injury after 58 minutes and Peter Dean took from Maclaren midway through the period. Chances, however, at both ends, were at a premium and it was no surprise that regulation time ended with the scores level.

Two minutes into the first period of extra time, Lubo Guentchev - on his 100th appeareance for Hendon - got around the back of the Wingate & Finchley defence and his low cross was bundled into the net by DEAN.

Six minutes later more good work from Guentchev gave Lewis OCHOA the opportunity to make it 3-1 which he did with calm assurance.

Five minutes into the second period of extra time, O'Leary's long wait for a return to Hendon action came to an end as he replaced Wes Daly. The Hendon bench screamed at the players to keep possession to see out time, but the ball was frequently given away

And, in the 115th minute, Lawrencin misjudged a through ball. His attempted clearance was charged down, giving James GERSCHFIELD the simplest of opportunities to make it 3-2.

Then, entering stoppage time, a brilliant save by Laurencin forced a corner. The marking at this set-piece, however, was as woeful as much of Hendon's overall performance had been and when the ball fell to David LAIRD, he made no mistake with a powerful drive from six yards.

After winning four consecutive penalty shoot-outs, the odds were against Hendon making it five in a row. Wingate & Finchley went first and duly converted, courtesy of the excellent Ahmet RIFAT. GUENTCHEV made no mistake with his attempt, as did former Hendon man Leon NELSON for the Blues.

Scott Cousins, however, went for power rather than placement, got underneath the ball and skied it horribly off the top and back of the roof of the nursery behind the goal. The next four penalties were all converted, LENAHAN and GERSCHFIELD doing so for Wingate & Finchley, DEAN and OCHOA for Hendon.

Aynsley McDonald had the chance to win the game for the Blues with his kick, but he also sent the ball over the crossbar and out of the ground. This left Danny Dyer the chance to force sudden death. His kick was low, but within the range of the diving King, who made the save and sent the Division One North team through to the third round.