WITH five minutes left, 1874 Northwich were heading for a fourth successive exit at this stage of the FA Cup.
They trailed 3-1, and could be forgiven for feeling fed up after former favourite Tom Bailey scored one of the goals for visiting West Didsbury.
But this side is more fun than that.
They had shared six goals with neighbours Barnton during a thrilling derby in midweek, and their hopes were raised of a repeat when substitute Kyle Riley converted from Scott McGowan’s assist.
Their rally did not stop there, and Jack Pritchard opened his account for the club when he pounced to punish a mistake by goalkeeper Aaron Ashley in a third added minute.
It means both sides are in a draw for the first qualifying round on Monday.
1874 Northwich defender Jack Pritchard, right, prepares to pounce after West Didsbury & Chorlton goalkeeper Aaron Ashley spills a set piece during stoppage-time on Saturday. Picture: M Darlington Photography
That prospect will have felt remote when Nic Evangelinos curled in direct from a free-kick to put West ahead on 17 minutes.
They doubled their lead when Bailey gleefully blasted in at the far post after a long throw reached him on the half-hour.
1874 halved the deficit early in the second period when Sam Hind was first to a loose ball after Ashley failed to hold on to Adam Whitlock’s driven attempt.
McGowan tried a spectacular overhead kick from Jake Parker’s corner as the hosts attempted to gather momentum.
Custodian Greg Hall had to intervene though to keep out shots from Evangelinos and then Matty Kay before referee Bilal Moosa awarded the visitors a spot kick when the former fell in the penalty area.
Kay converted to establish again a two-goal lead.
Riley’s goal made them less certain again, and Pritchard nodded in a late leveller after Bailey’s attempted clearance skidded off his head and onto Ashley’s chest.
He could not hold on, and the North West Counties League rivals will meet again in south Manchester on Tuesday night.
1874 | Hall (GK), Lever (Beadle 59), Lee Jackson, Pritchard, Meadowcroft, Parker (Riley 70), Whitlock, Matthew Woolley, McGowan, Hind, Kennerley Subs not used Clayton, Woods, Waite-Jackson, Spencer (GK) Goals Hind 57, Riley 85, Pritchard 90 (+3) Booked Kennerley
West | Ashley (GK), Botchey, Tinker, McGrath, Shaw, Potts, Gomes (Steer 74), Lilley (Henderson 79), Bailey, Kay, Evangelinos (Hogan 89) Subs not used Poole, Woodward, Brockley Goals Evangelinos 17, Bailey 30, Kay 74 (penalty) Booked McGrath, Henderson
Referee Bilal Moosa
Attendance 247
Additional reporting by Garry Clarke
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