RYAN Boot was Worcester City’s hero as he both scored and saved a penalty in a 5-4 shoot-out victory over 10-man Redditch United to reach the Worcestershire FA Senior Cup final.

With the teams locked at 0-0 following an uninspiring 90 minutes at the Valley Stadium, Carl Heeley’s team proved more clinical from the spot to set up a silverware showdown against landlords Kidderminster Harriers.

Boot, having already denied Courtney Baker-Richardson in the shoot-out, converted his side’s fifth kick before tipping Reds captain Calum Flanagan’s sixth penalty against the bar for victory.

After Sean Geddes had put the first penalty wide, Ellis Deeney, Nick Wright, Tristian Dunkley and Mike Symons also beat Bradley Catlow from 12 yards.

It was a subdued ending, with both sides seemingly uncertain that Boot’s save had proved decisive.

In beating the holders, who had Joel Caines sent off for a second bookable offence 12 minutes from time, City kept alive their hopes of winning the competition for the first time since 1997.

Victory, however, came at a cost as Daniel Nti was hurt in a 55th-minute challenge by Caines, who was booked, and had to be helped from the pitch.

He could now be a doubt for Saturday’s clash against Stockport at Aggborough.

Kick-off was delayed by 15 minutes due to referee Chris Husband being stuck in traffic and the game, not helped by an uneven surface, struggled to get out of first gear.

Boot, who also saved a penalty in Saturday’s 2-0 victory at Colwyn Bay, pushed away a drive from Baker-Richardson early on.

Wright had a looping header cleared off the line by Flanagan but that was as good as it got for Worcester.

Nether team could break the deadlock and it needed the shoot-out, and Boot, to settle matters.

City: Boot 9*, Jackman 7, Lynch 6, Shabir 7, Rowe 7, Waldron 7, Evans 6 (Dunkley 66, 6), Deeney 7, Nti 6 (Symons 57, 6), Geddes 6, Wright 6. Subs not used: Lemon, Finch, Veiga.

Attendance: 228.