Shrewton F.C., 9th September 2006

Wootton Bassett Town failed to stop their winless streak in FA competitions, the last being a 2001 Vase victory over Calne Town, but Steve Yeardley's penalty on the stroke of half time earned Bassett a lucrative replay against Shrewton United following a scintillating 120 minutes.

In such an open, free flowing match, it was surprising neither side could bag more than one goal each as both teams had chances to progress through to face Malmesbury in the next round.

Nathan Hall had a chance after only thirty seconds to give Bassett the lead but he shot straight at Adam Burwell after a loose ball fell perfectly for him.

Five minutes later Tom Messenger played a ball into the corner for Matty Bennett whose shot from a tight angle flew into the side netting.

At the other end great hustling from Steve Yeardley allowed him to tackle Dean Foot who had only John Haines to beat after Foot had gone past Andy Hallett.

Yeardley found himself in the right place at the right time again in the 19th minute as he cut across Anton Brownless' 20 yard drive to deflect it wide.

In the 26th minute John Haines pulled off a fine save as he parried Ben Halski's effort; the rebound fell to Brownless whose looping shot from the edge of the area hit the bar and went over.

The home side took the lead nine minutes before half time when Foot emphatically thumped home a low Jesse Walter's cross after Bassett were caught on the break.

Matty Bennett forced Burwell to parry after cutting inside and taking on two a minute before half time.

A minute later Dwayne Quinn was hacked down in the box by substitute Terry Tsouloupopulous giving Bassett the chance to equalise. Yeardley duly dispatched the penalty in the bottom left corner even though Burwell got a hand to it.

Nine minutes after the restart the first yellow card of the day when Brownless was cautioned for kicking the ball away.

Four minutes later Haines produced another quality save as he tipped over Nick Jones' looping volley following a Walters flick on.

Midway through the half, Walters should have given his side the lead after rolling Yeardley twelve yards out but his shot was straight at Haines.

Four minutes later Yeardley was caught in possession allowing the home side to break but Walters blasted over from ten yards.

Rich Gee nearly won the game for Bassett with nine minutes left but his header at the far post from Bennett's cross was saved well on the dive.

The last action of the ninety minutes didn't produce a goal but another yellow – this time for Gavin Cooley as the game went into extra time.

Bassett dominated the opening fifteen minutes but failed to find that elusive goal – with 95 minutes on the clock great work by John Magani opened up a chance for Bennett but his first time shot from 15 yards sailed just wide.

Three minutes later a Bennett ball from the right fell perfectly for Chris Mills but his first time blast from six yards was brilliantly parried by Burwell.

A minute into the second period, Haines was forced into action again as he was caught off his line. The ball fell to Walters and just before he was about to shoot into the open goal a perfectly timed sliding tackle from the Bassett 'keeper robbed him of the ball.

Four minutes later Cooley was presented with another one-on-one opportunity and tried slotting the ball into the bottom right corner but once again Haines denied him.

Dwayne Quinn found the bar from the edge of the box with two minutes remaining as he attempted a lob with Burwell off his line when he had time to take a touch.

Bassett were let off the hook in the final minute when Cooley headed a perfectly place Walters cross over from six yards after loosing his marker.

It was a pulsating finish to a pulsating match, which deservedly ended up deadlocked although both teams had numerous chances to advance to the next stage but superb defending by both sides meant the game will be decided at Rylands Way on Tuesday.

Scoop's Man of the Match: John Haines – Performed heroics between the sticks making many important saves and also made a case for himself to be moved to centre back with a perfect sliding tackle.

Scoop Rating: 8/10 – A fantastic all round performance with every player chipping in a workmanlike performance. Did enough to win the tie but some great defending by Shrewton and poor luck meant the game will be settled Tuesday.

Last modified on Monday 22nd June 2015 at 23:38