Bradford Sports & Social Club, 14th August 2010

Given Wootton Bassett Town's recent FA Cup history, their extra preliminary round tie with Bradford Town seemed destined for a replay. After all, for three seasons running nothing has separated Bassett and their opponents at this stage of the world's greatest cup competition after the initial ninety minutes.

Now, you can make that four years on the trot. However, Dave Turner's side were denied progress in the cruellest of fashions as an uncharacteristic mistake from Stewart Thompson gifted the hosts a late equaliser at a time when the visitors appeared comfortable.

The veteran 'keeper – whose performances have themselves singlehandedly won games for his side over the past couple of seasons – failed to hold on to a routine Liam Milburn free kick, allowing substitute Andre Brookes to tap into an empty net with just seven minutes remaining and make the score 1-1.

In fairness to Bradford, a goal was perhaps what they deserved after they had constantly pressured Bassett throughout the majority of the first half.

Against the run of play though, they fell behind. On the stroke of half time, the visitors broke from a corner through Matty Bown and his precise pass split the home defence, before Sam Collier shrugged off the attentions of his marker and fired the ball beneath Ed Baldy from twenty yards.

It was a composed finish from last season's top scorer, but his team's combined efforts in the opening stanza were nothing of the sort. The monsoon like conditions did not help, but too often Bassett conceded possession cheaply.

And on a couple of occasions they were fortunate not to concede. Just five minutes in Milburn whipped in a testing free kick that was not dealt with. The ball fell to an unmarked Steve Hulbert at the far post, but all he could do was fire over from close range.

Then six minutes before the break, Thompson flapped at a Dave Percival corner, with Hulbert again being the beneficiary of seeing the loose ball fall to him. A snap header was sent towards goal, but Bown found himself in the right place at the right time to head clear off the line.

Collier's strike seemed to settle the nerves as Turner's side began to impose their authority on proceedings after the restart.

Although a Ricky Trott free kick tested Thompson on the hour, the majority of the action took place at the other end. Bassett though failed to make their dominance count.

Jon Beeden and Collier both saw half chances go begging before substitute Ethan Delaney fluffed his lines in front of goal. A Bown through ball set him free down the right, the youngster having beaten the offside trap, and with just Baldy to beat it appeared easier to score. However, with arguably too much time to think, he scuffed his effort with the outside of his boot into the side netting from a tight angle.

Following Bradford's equaliser and another scare when – after Thompson failed to fist away a corner – both Dan Shanley and Percival saw efforts blocked on the line, Terry Adams was presented with a golden opportunity to steal victory for his side.

Richie Carter's through ball set him free in the left corner, and after Adams easily sidestepped Trott, he was left with just Baldy to beat. The 'keeper parried his first effort straight back at the midfielder, but Adams could do no better with the follow up, blazing over from close range.

Another replay it is then.

Scoop's Man of the Match: Jon Beeden – the all action full back once again impressed. He never shirked a challenge and was extremely positive when coming forward.

Scoop Rating: 6/10 – after an underwhelming first half, Bassett asserted control – and were comfortable - in the second period but an unfortunate mistake cost the side victory.

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