GOALKEEPER Matthew Gilks blasted the winning kick as Blackpool beat Kilmarnock on penalties in the Joma South West Challenge Cup.

The Barclays Premier Division newcomers edged through to the semi-finals after a 2-2 draw in the Group One decider at the Sports Ground tonight.

Jason Euell gave the Tangerines the lead midway though the first half before Kilmarnock levelled with a Jamie Hamill penalty eight minutes after the restart.

Substitute Lewis Almond restored the lead but the Scottish Premier Division side refused to lie down, grabbing an 81st-minute equaliser through Craig Byron.

Ian Holloway's team looked comfortable in the first half without ever reaching full flow.

Killie goalkeeper Cameron Bell did well to hold an early header from Gary Taylor-Fletcher after Neil Eardley crossed to the far post.

Then Euell latched on to a clever pass from Francis Jeffers to tuck away the opening goal on 24 minutes.

While former Everton and Arsenal striker Jeffers was influential in the opening goal, another Blackpool trialist, Malaury Martin, was less fortunate. The Frenchman limped out of the action, to be replaced by Ishmel Demontagnac moments later.

Kilmarnock's one real opening of the first half came as James Fowler made a surging run from midfield but was unable to keep his shot down.

It was a sign of things to come from Mixu Paatelainen's team though, as they made a positive start to the second period.

Keith Southern and Brett Ormerod joined the action for Blackpool at half time yet the first involvement for striker Ormerod came in his own penalty area.

He ended Tim Clancy's pacy run with a barge, and referee Andy Bennett had no hesitation pointing to the spot. Hamill calmly rolled the kick past Gilks.

Buoyed by the equaliser, Killie might have taken the lead as Byron was unable to keep his header down from cross by Danny Invincible.

And Blackpool made them pay for the miss when Almond swivelled in the area to drive low past Bell and restore the advantage.

Just when it looked as though the Lancashire club were heading for their second 2-1 win in Group One, Byron produced a superb equaliser.

Robbing a defender, he raced into the area and jinked onto his left foot before drilling low beyond Gilks.

Perhaps both teams were keen to avoid the inevitable penalty shootout as the pace quickened in the final 10 minutes.

In injury time, Ormerod missed a glorious chance to win it, firing against the foot of the post from a pass by Southern.

Bell was injured in the final scramble but the goalkeeper quickly needed to clear his head for the penalty shoot-out.

Competition rules state that drawn games go to penalties after 90 minutes, and each goalkeeper has to take one of the five spot kicks.

Bell made no mistake with his opening penalty but Killie's third taker, Clancy, had his effort saved by Gilks.

Rob Edwards, Southern, Ian Evatt and Ormerod were all successful before Gilks rammed in the winner to set up a meeting with Leyton Orient at Mill Road, Barnstaple on Saturday (3pm).

The Npower League One side dominated tonight's group two clash with Truro City and ran out 4-0 winners.

Alex Revell had a hand in all four goals. After heading in Mike Cestor's 12th-minute cross, the striker set up the other three.

On the half hour, Revell crossed for new signing George Porter to shoot past Martin Rice in the Truro goal.

It was 3-0 at half time, with Revell setting up a chance for Ryan Jarvis.

Twelve minutes from time, Revell surged down the left wing and cut the ball back for Stephen Dawson to shoot home via a deflection.

Blackpool: Matthew Gilks, Neil Eardley, Stephen Crainey, Malaury Martin, Charlie Adam, Francis Jeffers, Ian Evatt, Alex Baptiste, Gary Taylor-Fletcher, Jason Euell, David Vaughan. Subs: Brett Ormerod, Keith Southern, Rob Edwards, Danny Coid, Ishmel Demontagnac.

Kilmarnock: Cameron Bell, Jamie Hamill, Frazer Wright, Tim Clancy, Danny Invincible, James Fowler, Craig Byron and four unnamed trialists. Subs: Gary Hay, Mehdi Taouil, Manuel Pascali, Liam Kelly and two unnamed trialists.