The Lions and Brackley Town could not be separated at the end of a tight contest in Northamptonshire, read our match report sponsored by BuildADrive.com.
Lee Ndlovu put the hosts in front but their lead lasted 15 minutes when Jake Hull equalised with his first goal for the club.
Brackley started the game on top and got the first chance of the afternoon through Matt Lowe but Luke Jackson did well to parry the shot away from danger.
Wes York was next to threaten The Lions’ goal but his effort went straight into the side netting from a tight angle.
Up the other end the visitors’ first opening came from Jamie Spencer’s corner which found Hull at the near post but his flicked on header went just wide of the mark.
After a lengthy stoppage to treat Lebrun Mbeka’s head injury Brackley got the opening goal of the afternoon.
Ndlovu was on the end of a long ball forward and made no mistake to slot past Jackson with a good finish.
Mbeka returned to the field with his head heavily bandaged and wearing the number 20 shirt.
The Lions reacted well to falling behind but couldn’t find the killer pass to beat the stingy Brackley defence.
It was Spencer’s corner again though that caused problems, it found Jordan Thewlis but his shot was cleared off the line and after a couple of failed clearances Hull reacted well to place the ball home from six yards out.
It was the defender’s first goal for the club since his loan move from Rotherham United in the Summer.
The final attempt on goal of the half fell to Glenn Walker but his ambitious effort from 25 yards out flew over and onto the cricket pitch behind.
The second half saw The Saints dominate possession but strong defending from The Lions kept them at bay.
Ellis Myles tested Jackson from the edge of the box and the keeper did well to tip the effort over and then catch the resulting corner.
A high point in the second half was Andy Kellett’s return from injury as the midfielder made his second appearance of the season.
After end to end football but limited chances it was substitute Brad Rolt who missed their last opening, Lomas found the midfielder on the edge of the box with an header but he scuffed the effort and it landed straight into Jackson’s hands.
Bailey Thompson then nearly won the tie with his first touch after coming off of the bench when his powerful shot from 20 yards out was well saved by Danny Lewis.
The final whistle was blown and with that a replay on Tuesday night at Nethermoor was confirmed with kick-off set for 7:45pm.
Tickets will be available to purchase on the night at the turnstiles with cash priced at £13 adults, £9 concessions, £5 U18’s and £1 accompanied U11’s.
All eyes will be on Sunday’s Emirates FA Cup first round draw as The Lions and Brackley share ball number 52, the draw will be shown live on ITV1 from 1pm.
Attendance: 576
Team: 1. Luke Jackson, 2. George Cantrill, 3. Brad Nicholson, 4. Prince Ekpolo, 5. Hamza Bencherif (C), 6. Lebrun Mbeka, 7. Jake Hull, 8. Jamie Spencer (79’ Felix), 9. Jacob Gratton (73’ Kellett), 10. Jordan Thewlis (90’ Thompson) and 11. Regan Hutchinson.
Subs: 12. Ollie Brown, 13. Hagie Damba (GK), 14. Lewis Hey, 15. Shaun Tuton, 16. Kaine Felix, 17. Bailey Thompson and 18. Andy Kellett.
