Northampton Spencer 2 Wingate & Finchley 2 . . .

Wingate & Finchley must try again if they are to progress to the next round of the FA Cup, after a 2-2 draw at Northampton Spencer on Saturday.

The Blues started the stronger of the teams, as they created chances early on.

Wayne Grant struck a powerful shot from 18 yards that was arrowing for the top right corner, however, home goalkeeper Sean Markie somehow reached it and tipped the ball wide.

Markie again kept his side level with a superb block from a Marvin Samuel effort, after Marc Weatherstone had beaten his man, like he did all afternoon, down the right wing.

However, the home side took the lead in the 24th minute after a beautiful flowing move from left to right sent Alfie Taylor racing clear. He shot early from a wide angle, leaving Gavin King surprised, and the ball squirmed into the net just inside the right post. This goal seemed to shock the visitors and their supremacy immediately ceased. They reverted to long-ball football which the home side's centre backs dealt with comfortably, and few chances were created for the remainder of the half.

Chris Chase did, however, test Markie from distance with a dipping drive, but again the keeper made a remarkable save look very easy.

As Northampton Spencer looked to hold on to their lead, Wingate & Finchley played the more offensive football in the second half. Michael Sacks headed over from a Tim Lees free kick, and then went one step closer when he hit the crossbar with another header from a corner.

The game sparked into life in the 75th minute, when Wingate & Finchley were awarded a penalty after substitute Dean Williams was brought down inside the box. Williams took the kick but his effort was tame and Sean Markie parried it safely. Unfortunately, as he scrambled to gather the rebound, he appeared to fall awkwardly under some bodies and stayed down in agony. The game was held up for 15 minutes, as he lay stricken and an ambulance was called to take him to hospital. It turned out that he had cracked his ribs.

The game restarted and Northampton appeared to have sealed the win just a minute later, when Alfie Taylor put them two goals clear with a superb header from a cross from the right wing.

However, the home side barely had time to celebrate, before the Blues were handed a lifeline. Samuel was pushed over on the edge of the area and a free kick was awarded. Set-piece specialist Tim Lees planted the free kick inch-perfectly into the top left corner leaving substitute goalkeeper Craig Neighbour totally stranded.

The Blues now had the home goal under constant pressure, and with just three minutes left, the equaliser came. After a set piece was cleared out to the right wing, centre-back Michael Sacks was first to collect the loose ball. He clipped the ball in to the far post and Samuel found a yard of space to glance a header into the bottom left corner from close range, earning his side a replay, which will take place at the Abrhams Stadium on Tuesday night.

Wingate & Finchley: Gavin King, Marc Weatherstone, Anthony Limbrick (Kieran Street 54), Ahmet Rifat, Michael Sacks, Bobby Aisien, Tim Lees, Marvin Samuel, Wayne Grant (Daniel Clarke 87), Chris Chase, Joe O'Brien (Dean Williams 66). Subs not used: Callum Horton, Ola Williams, Craig Ellis, Steve Velandia.

PAUL LERMAN