Farense fans gave their players a warm welcome as they covered the goalmouth with paper streamers before the game.
Non-league SC Farense staged their biggest game for 10 years when they took on Premier Liga side Beira-Mar in the fourth round of the Portugal Cup last Saturday at the Estádio de São Luís in Faro.
A large and vociferous crowd, including the beleaguered Faro mayor Macário Correia, packed into the tight stadium to cheer on their heroes.
Beira-Mar took the lead midway through the first-half through Nildo but this spurred on the home side who took control of the game.
Lourenço shot wide when one-on-one with the keeper but minutes later he made amends when scoring from close in.
The fans went wild as Farense gained in confidence and Beira-Mar keeper Rui Rego made several vital saves as the visitors hung-on.
Diop, who replaced Lourenço, missed a great chance as the clock ticked down and it was still stalemate after extra-time and so to penalties.
With the sides level 4-4, up stepped Farense’s Diop to see his penalty saved by Rui Rego and it was left to Nildo to ram home the winning goal for the visitors.
Farense can only rue their missed opportunities and must now concentrate on maintaining their position at the top of the league as they endeavour to return to the higher echelons of Portuguese football. Chris Wright
