Dismissed for just 135 and staring at an away loss with the home side 0-35 Armidale came back from the brink to knock over Gunnedah for 119 and set up the November 15 showdown with Tamworth.

Reigning Country Cup champions Tamworth had demolished Muswellbrook in their nine wicket second round win earlier in the day in Tamworth and Armidale booked their third round spot with their spirited fightback.

Leading the way was paceman Adam Murrell.

He took 6-32 from his eight overs, coming on first change to gut Gunnedah after Andy Mack (15) and Jamie Mitchell (9) had given the home side a great 35 run start.

Gunnedah lost 4-1 in Murrell’s first burst.

He then claimed Gunnedah topscorer Farran Lamb (26) on his way to a match winning 6-32.

Matt House (2-18) and Matt Schaefer (1-21) also joined in the wicket taking fun.

Earlier in the day Matt Foster, who moved to Armidale from Gunnedah a few

years back, was Armidale’s

batting saviour.

At 5-56 they needed something special and he provided it, smashing an unbeaten 59 from just 46 balls.

In one Ben Middlebrook over he slammed a four, three big sixes and a three.

“Matt was just dynamic,” said Armidale skipper Adam O’Sullivan.

“He hit some huge sixes. Got us back in the game and gave us a total, which wasn’t big but which I thought was defendable. Especially on that big ground and slow outfield.

“And then Muzz got six for. He bowled real well, moved the ball both ways and bowled nice and full. Bowled to his field.

“He got the top six batsmen too.”

• Armidale play Narrabri in a second round War Veterans Cup match in Armidale this Sunday while Inverell hosts Tamworth Blues at Varley Oval and Gunnedah travel to Tamworth to play Tamworth Colts.