Aveley 2, AFC Hornchurch 2

THERE was high drama at Parkside on Saturday (30 September) as Aveley gave up a two goal lead against near neighbours Hornchurch and, in the end, were left hanging on for a draw.

Both sides will now go into the hat for the FA Cup fourth qualifying round ahead of their replay on Tuesday.

After a bright start for the visiting Urchins from the Isthmian Premier, which resulted in Joe Christou forcing a save from Jonathan North, National League South Aveley began to exert a grip on the match, with Garrett Kelly firing over.

And they were rewarded for their dominance when Jon Benton fired home from a narrow angle on 28 minutes.

Soon after one became two as Miller increased their lead when Jalen Jones headed home when a corner came over from the left on 36 minutes.

Hornchurch gave an indication of what might come as, four minutes from the interval, a long throw from Christou found Manny Harvest whose first time shot cannoned off a defender, and almost on the interval a Tom Wraight free kick found Christou, whose header was saved by North.

The revitalised visitors began the second half strongly, and Lennon Peake made a powerful run to win a corner. The ball was swung across and Aveley survived a big appeal for a penalty for handball.

Three changes were made by the Urchins – George Saunders, Liam Nash and Sam Higgins all coming on, replacing Jack Leahy, Lennon Peake and Renedi Masampu, and suddenly the entire pattern of the game changed, as Hornchurch, urged on by a large following in a crowd of 679 laid virtual siege to the home goal.

And the home defence finally cracked on the hour when Liam Nash turned inside Harry Gibbs and rifled the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

With Hornchurch having to come forward, they left themselves open at the back and Joe Wright made a fine save to deny Kenny Aileru. Wright then saved from Charlie Hughes, but most of the pay was at the other end, where Saunders went close when he ran on to a Wraight pass, and a Toby Byron shot skimmed the post.

There were two minutes left in normal time when long time iconic former East Thurrock player Higgins hit a long-range shot inches past the post and the same player went close with a header.

It looked as if Aveley might ride their luck but three minutes into stoppage time, with Millers defending desperately, a corner was played back to Saunders who returned the ball into a packed goalmouth where Tommie Hoban headed home to square the tie.

Both sides had chances to win it as the seven minutes added for stoppages lengthened into nine, during which Tom Wraight was booked when conceding a free kick just outside the area. Siju Odelusi fired the ball over the bar at one end and, in the ninth and final minute, Higgins again went close.

But they couldn't be separated and by the time they meet again on Tuesday, they will know the winner's reward with the prestigious first round just one match away.