FA Cup Preliminary Round

Northallerton Town 1

Billingham Town 1

A DRAMATIC last-gasp goal from Jason Newell gave Northallerton Town a deserved draw against first division Billingham Town in last Saturday's FA Cup preliminary round tie.

Town manager Paul Burton was ecstatic after the game. He said: "We were brilliant. My team gave their all, in fact they are all disappointed that they didn't win it today.

"Billingham must still be favourites for Tuesday's replay, but, if we can repeat today's performance, then we'll have a good chance of causing an upset."

Northallerton made a positive start to the game as they attacked from the kick-off and visiting keeper Darren Collier had to be alert in the first minute when he back-pedalled to turn a dangerous left-wing cross from Ross Diamond over the bar.

But Billingham created the first real chance through Lee Ure, who made a great run through the middle before hitting a poor shot wide of Sam Dobbs' right-hand post.

Town replied through John Outhwaite, whose back-header from an Andrew Swalwell right-wing cross had Collier at full stretch.

The end to end play continued as Billingham's Adam Livingstone broke down the right wing before playing a deep cross to the far post for Carl Chillingsworth to power in a great header.

But Dobbs was equal to it as he pulled off a superb one-handed save at the expense of a corner.

Town created two further first-half chances. In the 25th minute, Ross Foreman cut through in the inside right channel, but his shot lacked accuracy as he fired high over the bar.

Then, in the 36th minute, David Onions did well as he cut into the area from the right, but he fired into the side-netting from a tight angle.

Billingham had the ball in the back of the Town net in the 39th minute, but Craig Skelton's close-range effort was ruled out for offside.

Billingham made their first division status count at the start of the second half as they took the lead in the 49th minute.

Half-time substitute Jason Ainsley started the move when he fed the ball out to David Turner on the right wing. He advanced before playing a low centre across the face of the Town goal for Chillingsworth to score with a low six-yard drive.

Ten minutes later the visitors had a great chance to increase their lead when a low left-wing cross from Skelton was volleyed wide of the post by the unmarked Tom Jones.

But Town came back strongly as they pegged their first division opponents back in their own half and, after a spell of constant pressure, they were finally rewarded in the 89th minute.

Dobbs fired in a superb free kick from the halfway line for defender Newell to head home from just inside the six-yard box.

l Northallerton turned in another battling performance in Tuesday night's replay at Billingham, taking the tie into extra time despite having David Onions sent off early in the second half.

Jason Ainsley and Tom Jones hit the woodwork for the home side before Ainsley set up George Woodhouse to score the winner ten minutes into extra time.

Billingham are now at home to Ossett Town from the Northern Counties East League in the first qualifying round on September 18.

Northallerton are at home again tomorrow when Marske United are the visitors for a division two match, kick-off 3pm.