What might have been

FA Cup fourth qualifying round

Potters Bar went down fighting in their big FA Cup clash in Surrey on Saturday.

The Scholars stunned the Kingfield crowd of 1,443 with two late goals after the tie had seemingly been put out of their reach.

The valiant late fightback had their Conference hosts hanging on for the final whistle.

Ironically, Town manager Andy Leese had been fearful of Woking's superior fitness - they are a full-time outfit - but it was the part-time Ryman League Division One North side who finished the stronger.

The Cards were also expected to come out all guns blazing, but this was not the case.

When they did get close to the Town goal, the visiting defence were a match for everything that was thrown at them, with Dave Blower and Michael Sharman looking solid.

Ollie Berquez forced Richard Hayward into an early save, but Gabriel Fanibuyan hit a curling effort just over at the other end in what was an even encounter.

The Scholars grew in confidence and Richard Howard had two chances to break the deadlock. Firstly, he failed to make contact with an inviting corner at the back post and then, on the half-hour, he had a clear sight of goal after being played in by Fanibuyan, but the striker shot wide as keeper Shwan Jalal came out to narrow the angle.

Hayward made another fine save to keep out a Craig McAllister header before the hosts struck in the final minute of the half.

Guiseppe Sole got the better of James Dickie and then struck a low shot from the edge of the box that Hayward could only get a hand to.

Woking were lifted by the goal and started the second half well. Hayward denied Sole a brace, saving his point-blank effort.

But the crucial second goal was not long in coming.

A Sole cross from the right found Neil Smith at the far post and his first-time shot found the net via Hayward's hand and the foot of the post.

On 62 minutes, McAllister should have made it three but his unmarked header from a corner came back off the bar.

However, a minute later it was seemingly all over when Smith met Sole's corner with a diving header.

Leese brought on Danny Charge and Josh Cooper, and the youngsters made an immediate impact. On 74 minutes, Howard broke down the right and pulled the ball back for Dean Harding but Jalal saved with his legs.

It was now all Potters Bar. Debutant Curtis Johnson hit a long-range drive that was deflected wide of the Woking goal, while Dean Talbot's corner triggered a series of goalmouth scrambles, which eventually resulted in a goal. Fanibuyan saw a goalbound shot charged down before Howard finally blasted home from eight yards out.

Soon after, the Scholars were back in the match. Cooper delivered a far-post cross for Fanibuyan to score from close range.

In the third minute of stoppage time, Woking midfielder Karim El-Salahi, in a desperate attempt to break down another Town attack, toe-poked the ball off Harding's boot 25 yards from goal and watched the ball skid past a helpless Jalal and roll just wide of the post. And Potters Bar were left to rue what might have been.

POTTERS BAR: Hayward, Blower (Charge 67), Dickie, Sharman, Ledger, Talbot, Johnson, Winger (Cooper 72), Howard,Fanibuyan (Turner 86), Harding. Subs not used: Woodward, Smith.