FOOTBALL: East Preston head to Conference South leaders Dover Athletic in FA Cup

A 90th-minute EP equaliser meant the game finished 2-2, after EP had fought back from 4-1 down to draw 4-4 on Saturday, and Conference South leaders Dover Athletic now await EP in the next round on September 26.

EP will head to Dover, who are managed by former Gillingham boss Andy Hessenthaler, in high spirits, though, and EP manager Trevor Waller said: "All of the players and the support has been brilliant. Now, we all just can't wait for the trip to play Dover. It's massive for us."

East Preston took a well-deserved lead on Tuesday after 20 minutes.

Terry Dodd beat two Guildford defenders and whipped the ball left-footed past the flailing keeper.

Minutes later, again Dodd caused the Guildford defence havoc down the left. He cut inside but flashed his effort past the far post.

Despite having a fair amount of possession, it took half-an-hour for Guildford's best chance of the half. Ant Bridgeman was put through one-on-one with EP keeper Maciek Kason, who stood tall and the shot went sailing over the bar.

EP could have taken a more comfortable lead into half-time yet near misses from Dodd and Kevin Budge meant the scoreline was 1-0 and that did not reflect their early dominance.

In the second half, Guildford upped their game and striker Harrison Carnegie twice got the better of EP's defence but curled both efforts narrowly wide.

EP's Tom Paine smashed the ball just wide from 25 yards on 71 minutes and Guildford then equalised seconds later. Poor defending was capitalised on in the box by Gabriel Addesina and he shot under the helpless Kason.

The intensity then went up a notch as neither team appeared to want extra-time.

Carnegie was denied by a hat-trick of point-blank saves from the magnificent Kason. But 10 minutes from time, Guildford substitute Lance Banton-Brown chased down a back pass which EP's keeper cleared into the back of the player and it rebounded into the empty net.

Yet EP's determination and effort at the death was rewarded. Asa Nicholson's throw was headed home by Matt Windsor to send the tie to extra-time.

Extra-time proved a stalemate as the match always looked destined for penalties as EP resiliently held on.

In the penalty shoot-out, it was the visitors who cracked first as a solid save down the middle by Maciek Kason gave EP, who were kicking first, a 2-1 advantage after two spot-kicks each.

A succession of well-taken EP kicks meant that Guildford had to score their fifth penalty. But it was the inspirational Kason who saved again, which sent East Preston through.

Waller said: "I'm so proud of everybody. Our players never stopped working and credit to them. Overall, I feel we deserved to win the game after having the better chances and, truthfully, we should have wrapped the game up in 90 minutes."

EP had kept their FA Cup hopes alive with an incredible comeback on Saturday when they fought back from 4-1 down.

EP fell 2-0 behind, but Dodd reduced the deficit in the 30th minute.

Two further goals made it 4-1 before Chris Darwin cut inside and fired home.

Ian Saunders pulled another one back when he smashed home from 18 yards in the 70th minute, and Neil Reilly dramatically equalised from Nicholson's cross 10 minutes from time. Waller said: "We looked dead and buried at 4-1 so the character we showed was brilliant."

EAST PRESTON on Tuesday: Kason; N.Da Costa, Windsor; Saunders, Nicholson; Reilly, Paine; Campbell, Darwin; Dodd; Budge. Subs: Meeney (Budge 85), Huet, Holman, L.Da Costa, Williamson.

On Saturday: Kason; N.Da Costa, Windsor, Paine, Saunders; Holman, Nicholson, Campbell, Darwin; Budge, Dodd. Subs: Reilly (Paine 60), Huet (Holman 70), Meeney (Budge 75), Clayton, Williamson.

-------------------------------------

Click here to go back to Worthing sport.

Click here to return to Gazette sport.

Click here to go back to Shoreham sport.

Where are you? Add your pin to the Herald's international readers' map by clicking here.

Email the Herald: [email protected]