Win City (3 - 3) Newport IOW
WINCHESTER CITY 3 NEWPORT (Isle of Wight) 3 F.A. Cup 2nd Qualifying Round.
After dominating the first half and building a three-goal lead before the hour, City lost their coherence after Newport pulled a goal back and ended a match they should have won by hanging on for a draw.
An early chance fell to Dominic Cope which was well saved and then a lay-off by Warren Bentley was put through to Chris Mason but again the shot was saved.
As City pressed another Glasspool/Bentley combination led to the latter rolling his shot just wide, and then Mike McEnery jinxed his way into the penalty box but he stabbed his shot just over the bar.
Winchester's break came in the 32nd minute when Bentley ghosted past Evans at full back and netted with a controlled shot.
Against the run of play McInnes forced Jason Collins into the good save at the City end.
Just before the whistle City had an appeal for handball in the penalty box turned down.
Adam Tomasson was replaced by Chris Manning at half time due to an injury he picked up late in the first period.
City started the second half like the first and increased their lead in the 53rd minute when Bentley threaded the ball to Glasspool who scored from close range.
It looked as if City had sewn up the match in the 55th minute when McEnnery forced the 'keeper into a close-range shot, the ball bounced off his body and McEnery managed to get his head it and steer it across the line.
Newport got back into the game in the 58th minute when a well worked move resulted in Jones netting.
City still came forward and crossed for Joe Wright who was just short of connecting for a shot.
Newport uplifted by their goal came at City, a free kick which Collins pushed onto the woodwork and City failed to clear on three occasions, each resulting in a scramble in the goalmouth before pressure was relieved.
City were undone in the 70th minute when a long clearance was picked up by ex-City forward Smeaton, who joyfully lashed the ball home.
Winchester were still seeking a further goal and a header by Glasspool was pushed over the bar and Bentley put a chance wide.
Newport secured a replay in the 80th minute when Jones scored his second after City once again failed to clear with Collins appearing to miss a punch due to a push which let in the scorer. Although City protested the goal the Referee waved them away.
Mason came off for Ryan Holloway in the 83rd minute and Adam Roberts replaced Cope in the 93rd, but City failed to find the winner.
City face a replay in Newport next Tuesday.
Attendance 222.
City: Jason Collins, Adam Tomasso, Joe Wright, Stuart Green, Leigh Mills, Luke Dempsey, Mike McEnery, Chris Mason, Zach Glasspool, Warren Bentley, Dominic Cope, Geoff Dunn, Chris Manning, Liam Green, Ben Stanbrook, Adam Roberts, Ryan Holloway and Ross Casey.
