FA Cup: Chichester City suffer late disappointment at hands of SE Dons

City selected the same starting XI as in the 5-0 defeat to league leaders Uxbridge last time out, so skipper Rob Hutchings lined up at left back with James Sweet on the other side together with Ben Pashley and Curtis Da Costa in front of keeper Max Evans.

Joe Clarke, Lloyd Rowlatt, Emmett Dunn, Lucas Pattenden and Isaac Bello began in midfield once again with Harry Bridle up front. Joe Moore, Jake Lawrence, Brandon Chebby, Olly Munt and Ryan Davidson warmed the bench.

Rowlatt hit one narrowly wide five minutes in and on 18 minutes Josh Bohui fired over the bar from inside the penalty area in a spell the Dons dominated.

On the half hour Rowlatt headed just off target and then came the opener with a neat finish from Bohui, which had been coming.

Next, Hutchings played Bello in and he struck the ball wide of the mark. Another Rowlatt effort hit the post but he slotted the rebound home with five minutes to go to half-time.

Two minutes later Bello’s goal was chalked off as a linesman flagged for offside.

Davidson came on at the break and Bridle gave Chi the lead with a stooping header on 53 minutes.

The visitors’ keeper made a great save three minutes later and Lawrence replaced Pattenden. Bridle was subbed for Chebby in the 69th minute and Moore replaced Clarke with 10 minutes of normal time to go.

The Dons’ goalie somehow denied Chebby on 86 minutes before it was all square after Ralfi Hand’s sublime free-kick in injury time.

It looked to be heading for a replay but Alex Teniola had other ideas and sent the away team through into the next round of the world’s oldest knockout football competition with the last kick of the game.

The Londoners, who are in the FA Cup for the first time ever, beat Lancing 6-0 in the extra preliminary round and then Punjab United and Erith Town.

Chi now return to Southern League Premier South action – and on Saturday they visit Thame United in the FA Trophy.