Alan Hull's Wakering braves refused to bow to the seemingly inevitable when Premier visitors Ford took the lead as this entertaining FA Trophy first round game at Burroughs Park moved into injury-time.
They grabbed an 11th hour equaliser to earn a second bite at the cherry at Ford's Barkingside home tomorrow night.
It was no more than the village side deserved in this their first ever outing in the Trophy competition.
Battling on - Wakering's dogged approach earned them a replay against Ford United tomorrow night Picture: MAXINE CLARKE
The Division One outfit certainly gave as good as they got in horrendous conditions of torrential rain that fell throughout.
They showed some outstanding skills at times, particularly down the flanks through Glen Poole and John Buffong, but Wakering refused to give second best.
It was the combination of these two which came close to breaking the deadlock on the 15 minute mark. Poole launched a great run down the left and his ball across goal saw Buffong come perilously close to converting.
But Wakering came even closer on the 29 minute mark when Mark Hampshire's cross saw the hard-working Gary Ewers send in a shot that Paul Newell, the one-time Southend United stopper, beat out.
However, Newell had no chance when Ewers made it 1-0 five minutes before the break with a well-struck free-kick.
Ex-Football League man Garry Kimble curled a 25 yard effort just wide for Ford as half-time approached, but the second period was only 70 seconds old when the visitors got on terms.
It was that man Poole who did the spadework, cutting in from the left and rolling the ball into the path of full-back Leon Whyte, who crashed home a screaming effort.
We all thought Wakering had missed out when Fiddes cracked home a superb 25-yarder in the 91st minute, but the home side were not to be denied and Paul Pilkington lifted the ball over Newell and into the net with 93 minutes gone.
Wakering chairman Roy Kettridge said: "Normally Pilks only uses his right leg to stand on so for him to score such a vital goal with it was great for us."
Published Monday November 4, 2002
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article