Billericay's dreams of winning the Ryman League Cup for the first time in their history today hang by a knife-edge after they were held to a 1-1 home draw by Division One Maidenhead United in the first leg of their semi-final.

Although heavy rain, which fell for hours before the kick-off but stopped as the action got underway, made conditions difficult at the start, the New Lodge surface held up well once surface water drained.

However, it was the Berkshire promotion-chasing visitors, managed by ex West Ham favourite Alan Devonshire, who drew first blood with a 21 minute Billy Cove goal.

Town got on terms just five minutes later with a superbly worked goal which saw Joe Butler and Justin Gentle combine to set-up Colin Simpson to end his drought with his first successful scoring effort since the FA Umbro Trophy win over Hereford United some ten games ago.

With the crowd cut to 202 by the appalling weather up to kick-off time, neither side could wrest the advantage before half-time. Stafford Browne was still missing up front through injury, but Lee Williams showed plenty of invention alongside Simpson as Town fought to take the initiative.

Maidenhead took control for a 20 minute spell after the interval, but from then on Billericay were in dominating mood and midfielder Paul Linger, continuing his recent outstanding form, could have capped his performance with a headed goal, but for a fine save from visiting keeper Garath Ormshaw.

However, the visitors came close to having the last word but for an outstanding stop by home goalkeeper Gavin King in the closing stages.

So it's everything to play for in the second leg next week with Billericay boss Gary Calder's more immediate thoughts turning to capturing the points to stop his side falling into the Premier Division relegation zone at Dulwich on Saturday.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.