Tilbury 2, Brantham Athletic 2

IN a dramatic finish to a remarkable match on Saturday (31 August) Tilbury kept their FA Cup hopes alive and go into Monday's Second Qualifying Round draw, as well as a Tuesday night replay.

They did so thanks to a second goal of the match from Sam Bantick in the 11th minute of added time!

Underdogs Brantham, reduced to ten men for half of the match, will have left Chadfields with a sense of frustration, having spurned a two goal lead.

The Thurlow Nunn Premier Division visitors survived early pressure from the Dockers who spurned a double gilt-edge chance to take the lead when Alex Akrofi's effort was palmed away by keeper Rob Weller and Lewis Manor couldn't direct his follow up follow-up on target.

Tilbury had to make an early switch when sam Bantick, available again after suspension and holiday, replaced Harry Donovan. 

The Blue Imps then took the lead on 25 minutes with a fantastic effort from distance by Jack Marshall. The midfielder was gifted too much time and space on the edge of the area as he found the right-hand corner with a beautiful strike.

Bantick, who was proving pivotal, struck the bar but it was The visitors extended their lead two minutes into added time as they recycled an attack back out to the right and the subsequent cross found James Lee who got across his man to flick a tidy header into the bottom corner.

The first half was extended a further nine minutes during which Brantham captain Billy Wales was sent off for a foul on Bantick and teammates Anton Clarke and  Jenson Mulqueen were cautioned.

The Dockers searched for a way Bantick came close with an outrageous volley attempt from the outside of the box. The strike had the keeper beaten but the ball rattled off the frame of the goal.

Against ten men Dockers had renewed hope and just four minutes of the second half had gone when Bantick rose above Weller to nod home from close range.

The Dockers continued to knock on the door and came close with two headers from Lewis Manor.

The first was incredibly saved by Weller and Manor was unable to get above the ball for the second as he headed over from Bantick's lofted cross. During scrambles in the penalty area, Lewis Clark also saw his header saved before the rebound was somehow cleared off of the line.

With time running out, the ball fell to Igli Metalia who beat his man with a brilliant piece of skill to set himself up for the shot. However, his effort was sent over the crossbar.

Tilbury's efforts seemed to be to no avail but as stoppage time reached its 11th minute the ball landed at the feet of none other than the enigmatic Bantick who cannoned a volley into the far corner to force the replay.