Let's Twist Again

When Gary Dodd scored the first goal of this FA Cup clash at Wexham Park on Saturday few people could have imagined the drama that would unfold as Slough Town and Kingstonian stayed locked in combat at Richmond Road on Tuesday evening.

We were treated to 120 minutes of pulsating heart-stopping cup tie football on Tuesday and are still no closer knowing who will entertain Aylesbury United in the first round proper.

And so it's a case of let's twist again on Monday evening, with Slough winning the toss to stage the second replay of this fourth qualifying round thriller at Wexham Park.

Slough’s FA Cup run this season has been full of drama. Nine goals in their first two rounds, the heroics of teenage goalkeeper Paul Shannon in the two clashes with Welling and now this latest saga with Kingstonian.

And yet again you've guessed it the Rebels battled back from behind at Richmond Road with midfielder Devon Petty, this time, the unlikeliest Slough goalscoring hero.

Both sides must have left the pitch on Tuesday feeling they should have won this epic encounter. Kingstonian had the early advantage only for Slough to battle back in true cup fighting style and come so close to a glorious victory.

Speaking after the game Rebels boss Howard Kennedy said: "We gave away another early goal and that's not the best way to start a cup tie. “But the best thing was that the team played with discipline and didn't lose their heads as all the training and hard work we have done paid off. “At half time I promised the lads that if they kept doing the right things they would score a goal. I am happy that it was Devon Petty who scored the goal. He is capable of scoring 15 goals a season once he starts believing in his own ability.'

Slough started with real purpose but were shocked when in the seventh minute Graham cox was left picking the ball out of the net before he had even had a touch. Kingstonian’s first raid into the Slough half saw Andy Wallce pump a free kick into the Rebels box and Richard Parkin beat both Jeff Bateman and Cox to the ball, and back headed it into the net.

Coming from behind is nothing new to Slough it has happened in their last three cup matches but for the next 15 minutes Kingstonians swept forward and looked set to leave the Rebels dead and buried this time.

With the Slough defence looking uncharacteristically anxious they had an amazing let off on 20 minutes when Chris Kelly beat Cox to the ball and then saw his shot hit the post before Jeff Bateman scrambled it away.

Wallace then probed his way through before shooting wide but the tide slowly turned Slough's way and they ended the half well on top. Kenny Wilson was proving a real menace, turning up on both flanks to test the Kingstonian defence, and Micky Kiely and Dodds both had possible chances to put Slough back in business.

After the interval Slough were a revelation with Petty and Keith White inspirational in midfield. Within 30 seconds Jimmy Jacobs blasted over the bar after White had set him up but the non-familiar early second half comeback goal did arrive on 55 minutes.

Minutes earlier Ian Armstrong had headed Dodds' effort off the line, again. But Slough made no mistake when from Wilson's corner Kiely poked the ball back and Petty emerged to force it over the line for only his third goal in three seasons and certainly his most important.

It was now heart stopping stuff for both camps with Kim Connett firing just over the bar and then Jacobs going desperately close at the other end.

This was also no game for the feint hearted and Kelly was finally booked for a bad foul on Petty and before the end Wallace, Armstrong and Derek Harris were also cautioned.

Dean Woodley replaced Kiely and with his first real touch failed to make proper contact with a Dodds cross and then four minutes from time Cox rescued Slough with a brave save at the feet of Dodd.

Having survived a late Kingstonian onslaught Slough again took the initiative in extra-time with Petty and White growing more influential as the game flowed on.

White’s brilliant low cross from the left put Kingstonian under pressure on 93 minutes but neither Petty or Wilson could apply the final clinical touch.

Then, again, it was Kingstonian's turn for one last victory bid and on 111 minutes Cox kept Slough in the cup with a brilliant save at the feet of Wallace. Still the excitement continued and Woodley just failed to apply the necessary power to a Wilson cross and then Bateman couldn't force the ball home from close range.

In the last seconds there could have been yet more drama when Dodds burst through and clashed with Kevin O'Donoghue. Kennedy thought it had to be a penalty but it would have been a harsh decision and a cruel way to end such a classic evening's entertainment.