Bedford Town are in the hat for Monday’s FA Cup fourth qualifying round draw, but were unable to break down ten-man Wingate and Finchley in the third qualifying round, drawing 2-2 at The Eyrie on Saturday (3 October).
The Eagles battled back from a goal down on two occasions with a pair of penalties, and despite a final third of the game dominated by Harry Smart’s men after Kai Thomas-Fraser was sent off for the visitors, the Isthmian League side held on for a replay.
Wingate and Finchley were looking for a second win in Bedford in as many weeks following last Saturday’s impressive 3-0 win at Real Bedford in the third qualifying round of the FA Trophy.
Read: Wingate and Finchley stun the Pirates as Real Bedford crash out of the FA Trophy
Their cup pedigree was also reinforced thanks to a 2-1 replay victory over National League South side, Hemel Hempstead Town, managed by former Eagles boss, Lee Bircham in the previous round of the FA Cup.
Bedford Town’s victory against King’s Lynn Town helped them through to a first third qualifying round tie in 17 years, and on home turf were favourites against their step three opposition.
But they came up against bullish opposition, who made their attacks count and were belligerent in defence after being reduced to ten men, and will now welcome the Eagles to North London in a midweek replay.
Chukwu fires visitors in front
As expected given the step difference, Bedford Town controlled large amounts of the proceedings, but were unable to gain a first half lead.
Ryan Doherty’s second-minute header was snuffed out by the excellent Charlie Grainger in the visiting goal, before the Wingate and Finchley keeper was on hand again to deny Reece Evans with a smart stop on 10 minutes.
David Hicks and Josh Castiglione also saw efforts deflected wide, but come the half hour mark, and against the run of play, Wingate and Finchley were ahead.
Ashley Nzala was released into the right channel, and he set it into the path of Anointed Chukwu who fired home into the bottom corner after a step over created a moment of space for the number nine.
In response, Lewis Franklin thought he had won a penalty as Jake Watkiss felled him in the area, but eight minutes later, that same man was at fault as he fouled Castiglione in the area, with the referee this time pointing to the spot.
George Moncur powered home from 12 yards to leave the scores level at half-time.
Red card leaves attack versus defence
Inside a minute of the restart, Wingate and Finchley were back in front.
To the shock of the majority of the 816 fans inside The Eyrie, Sam Cornish’s free kick was met by Ben Frempah at the back post, who nodded it back across the face of goal, allowing Chukwu the easiest of finishes to score his second.
It caused a hush across the ground, that was only released come the hour mark as Wingate and Finchley were reduced to ten men.
The referee had begun dishing out the yellow cards, and one of those fell to Kai Thomas-Fraser, who was duly shown a second yellow card followed by a red for a late tackle on Eno Nto by the corner flag.
It left the visitors scrambling for defensive reinforcements as they attempted to soak up half an hour’s worth of pressure from Bedford Town, who proceeded to set up camp inside their half.
What transpired was a frustrating period, where the Eagles couldn’t find the final piece to fashion any chances, and with the crowd growing more impatient, the clock ticked down towards a famous rearguard victory for the Isthmian League side.
Any chances that did arise were well kept out by the impressive Grainger, including a low free kick from Castiglione and a rasping shot from Ben Weyman that was tipped over, before a second penalty was awarded after 83 minutes.
Franklin was bundled over, and three defenders were yellow-carded for their remonstrations against the decision, before Moncur once again found the bottom corner to restore parity at two goals apiece.
Chances for the winner were few and far between, although Grainger was on hand to palm clear a goal bound effort from Junior Gyamfi, while the visitors’ shot stopper also denied Castiglione at the last.
The final whistle came as a relief for the visitors, who join Bedford Town in Monday lunchtime’s fourth qualifying round draw, in which National League clubs enter the fray.
The replay will take place this Tuesday (6 October), meaning Bedford Town’s Bedfordshire Senior Cup tie against Biggleswade Town has been postponed.
The draw for the fourth qualifying round takes place at 2pm and can be listened to live on TalkSPORT.
