Grigg Lane, 15th September 2007

Wootton Bassett Town's name remained in the FA Cup hat after they held Wessex Premier side Brockenhurst to a 1-1 draw.

If it wasn't for some near misses and a dubious equaliser from the hosts though a replay would not have been needed as Bassett had enough chances to put the game to bed before half time.

The first chance fell to the hosts three minutes in when Ben Kneller headed wide a Dave Adams corner from eight yards.

The Brockenhurst defence were then caught napping as Matty Bennett intercepted the ball from a throw in down the right before squaring inside to John Magani, who hit wide from 20 yards.

Bennett would be instrumental in setting up Magani for his goal in the 16th minute as Bassett stunned their opposition with a quick start.

The winger was picked out with a perfect crossfield pass from Nathan Perkins. Bennett then made his way past two defenders before letting loose with an effort from the edge of the area, which was blocked. The rebound fell only as far as Magani though, and he struck home with a low, first time effort for his first of the year.

Sean Purcell was forced into action just before the half hour as he made a good diving stop from a low Luke Ansell effort after Carlo Tate's cross was half cleared.

The 'keeper then almost turned provider for a Bassett second as his long punt upfield cleared everyone bar Rob Vine in the host's goal. Bennett ran onto the loose ball and attempted a lob from the edge of the box after Vine had slipped but the ball carried just wide of the mark.

Two great chances then fell to Bassett in the final five minutes of the first half. Firstly, Bennett cut in from the right before weaving his way past three before setting to Dennis King, who found himself in an excellent position. However, the Irishman fired inches wide of the left post after taking a touch and letting loose.

Magani then breached the host's backline and powered down the right flank. King, in support, was once again in superb position with Brockenhurst stretched, but instead of pulling the ball back from a tight angle, Magani went for a shot which was blocked and cleared.

An inspired double substitution at half time for the hosts shifted the momentum in the second half as Jimmy Anderson and Mark Clothier spiced things up.

The two nearly combined for the equaliser in the 50th minute when a perfectly placed through ball from Anderson set Clothier through. The winger rounded Purcell before shooting from 12 yards but Rich Gee hustled back to clear off the line.

However, Clothier tied things up three minutes later with a fortunate goal. His long cross from the right touchline sailed over Purcell and onto the inside of the left post. Steve Yeardley then tried in vain to head off the line but a waved flag from the assistant referee signalled the ball had crossed the line.

Just before the hour King nearly headed Bassett back in front but guided a Perkins free kick from the right corner just over.

However, it seemed as if the goal had took the sting out of Bassett's tail, and if any team were going to go on to win the match, then it wouldn't have been Bassett.

With 66 minutes gone Steve Marwood tested Purcell out with a low free kick from just outside the box, which the 'keeper was able to get down to and save.

Six minutes later Gee was once again on hand to save Bassett, clearing off the line for the second time. Kneller set Darren Crook – who only just beat the offside trap – through after Bassett had given the ball away cheaply high up the field. Crook bore down on goal before rounding Purcell and he sent a left footed effort towards the back of the net. Gee, though, lunged at the ball and hacked clear.

Bennett and Magani, who had both been relatively quiet throughout the second half, had a chance to open up the Brockenhurst defence one final time in the final ten minutes. However, after picking up the ball just inside their opponent's half with space to run, Magani went for a hopeful long range effort instead of slipping through Bennett, who had just made a darting run past marker Simon Young.

The chances then dried up for both sides as both defence's dug in, forcing another 90 minutes of FA Cup action to be played at Rylands Way.

Scoop's Man of the Match: Rich Gee – made two game saving goal-line clearances to preserve the draw in the second half during a spell when Bassett were under heavy pressure.

Scoop Rating: 8/10 – Bassett had the chance to take at least a two goal cushion into the half time interval after an impressive first half display, but failed to do so. They were a bit lucky to survive the second half onslaught from Brockenhurst, but put in another battling FA Cup display against another team from a higher level.

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