Late winner ends Sidley FA Cup run

The Kent club, who forced this preliminary round replay courtesy of an 89th minute penalty in the original tie on Sunday, went through to the first qualifying round on the back of an 86th minute winner.

"Gutted," was the emotion felt by Sidley manager Liam Barham. "We played well, second half especially and we deserved to win I thought, but such is life. It was a very scrappy (winning) goal and I think it was the only time they got behind us in the second half, but I can't really complain because I thought we were magnificent."

There was never really a great deal to choose between the two sides throughout the two games, just that Deal got the breaks in front of goal when it really mattered.

And it really mattered in those last five minutes when Dave Bathgate nodded home a ball that hung on the edge of the six yard box after Sidley goalkeeper Greg Thurstans, who undertook an eight hour drive back from a holiday in Cornwall to take his place in the side, had done well to palm Mark Pollard's fierce drive into the air.

To make matters worse for United, the decisive goal was the only clear opportunity that the Kentish Observer Premier League side enjoyed during a second half that Sidley generally bossed.

United fully deserved their 59th minute equaliser, a sublime shot on the turn by Peter Baker from the left edge of the penalty area sailing over Deal stopper Rob Lindley and into the roof of the net.

Deal looked the better side in the first half, though, and merited their half time lead that was earned when Pollard nipped in front of Thurstans to head home Danny Smith's 18th minute corner.

Dominic Clarke, who made his full debut in place of the working Adam Day, saw a goalbound shot blocked by defender Josh Davidson in Sidley's best moment.

"I definitely thought we were going to go on and win it (once Sidley equalised)," Barham added. "I thought they were really on the back foot and when we scored I thought it broke their back and we would go on and win it. But sometimes you get what you deserve and sometimes you don't and I felt over the two games we were the better side."