FA Cup third qualifying

Bath City 2

Shortwood United 2

SHORTWOOD’S love affair with the FA Cup shows no sign of fading as they came within three minutes of another cup shock at Conference South outfit Bath City.

The plucky Nailsworth minnows led through a Lewis Sommers header until the 76th minute when Ben Adelsbury bundled in an equaliser, only for Tim Haddock to restore Shortwood’s advantage. But with just three minutes to go, Chas Hemmings struck to force a third qualifying round replay on Tuesday at Meadowbank, 7.45pm.

Shortwood made national news last season during an epic FA Cup run which saw John Evans’ and Alex Sykes’ side beat Conference side Aldershot Town in an away fourth qualifying round replay before taking on Port Vale on live TV in the first round proper. The run this season is even more remarkable after losing half of the side that made cup history a year ago.

They started brightly on the back of an excellent run which has seen them win six and draw three of their last nine games.

They nosed ahead eight minutes before half-time. Former Forest Green defender Sekani Simpson was beaten by left-winger Matt Bennett who picked out the leaping Sommers who nodded home inside the box.

Bath started the second half on the front foot. Goalkeeper Tom King did well to push over a fizzing free-kick from Ross Stearn.

Shortwood responded with Sommers’ header falling for Haddock, who had made a great run into the box but lifted his shot over the bar.

The Wood survived a strong penalty appeal when Pratt burst down the right and put in a deep cross to the back post, where Watkins’ header appeared to strike the hand of right-back Sam Rawlings.

King made two crucial blocks as the Twerton Park outfit turned up the heat and netted parity when a Hemmings header hit the bar and Adelsbury smashed in the rebound.

Shortwood sub Dominique Njoya forced a save from City keeper Jason Mellor. However, at the other end King frustrated Hemmings with another block.

Nonetheless, Shortwood regained the lead nine minutes from time following a quick break led by Sommers. His cross-field ball found sub Josh Egan, whose strike fell to Haddock who beat Mellor from short range.

City almost snatched parity but the outstanding Jake Lee did well to block a goalbound Pratt effort.

Shortwood’s hearts were broken when Hemmings rifled home with just three minutes to go.

Bennett almost won it for the Wood when his 20yard strike beat Mellor an hit the post.

BATH CITY: Mellor, Simpson, Gallinagh, Keary, Ball, Adelsbury, Watkins, Patten (Stearn 53), Pratt, Hemmings, Kington.

Subs not used: McCootie, Rollo, Taylor.

SHORTWOOD UNITED: King, Rawlings, Humphreys, A Thomas, Lee, Haddock, Langworthy (Egan 66), Hancock, Sommers, Price (Njoya 72), Bennett.

Subs not used: M Thomas, Veal, Sykes, Hoskins.

REFEREE: Adrian Quelch.

ATTENDANCE: 641.

Reation from Shortwood co-manager Alex Sykes to follow.