Report: Hednesford Town forced to FA Cup replay with Billericay Town

In a game that lacked any real quality until the dying stages, Hednesford saw several late chances denied and will now travel to Essex for a third qualifying round replay on Tuesday.

More than 100 minutes were played at Keys Park due to several stoppages, but Gavin Hurren’s side struggled to break down a resolute Billericay defence. 

The hosts came under severe pressure in the early stages, with Simeon Maye clearing an effort off the line to keep the scores level.

At the other end, Hednesford’s Ahkeem Rose looked to continue his goalscoring form, firing narrowly wide after the 15-minute mark. The striker had netted four goals against Coleshill Town in the previous round.

Meanwhile, Billericay midfielder Liam Nash caused problems throughout the first half and was denied well by goalkeeper Tony Breeden ten minutes before the break.

Hednesford weathered further pressure late in the first period and went into half-time on level terms. However, frustrations grew after the interval as the hosts continued to struggle in the final third.

That was until shortly after the hour mark when - spurred on by more than 2,000 supporters - Dan Turner forced a superb save from Sam Donkin with a goalbound header.

Dominic McHale came close soon after with a curling effort as the hosts began to rally, and he was denied again by Donkin with a thunderous strike nearing the end of normal time.

Two minutes into 11 minutes of added time, Joe Doyle-Charles looked certain to have won it for Hednesford, but his powerful effort was remarkably palmed away.

Ahkeem Rose also went close, firing wide as Hednesford pushed desperately for a winner.

However, it never came, and the Pitmen will now make the trip to Essex to do it all again on Tuesday night.