lineup

Mike Payne

Gary Moran

Jamie Williams

Adam Hart

Craig Herbert

Andy Commander

Rory Squire

Craig Dutton

Dave Pearson

Justin Marsden

Michael Hegarty

subs used

Jon Douglas

Steve Evans

Valley fans might have been plunged into darkness soon after the final whistle due to a power failure at Butlin Road.

However, the lights still just about flickered on Rugby United's FA Trophy campaign, despite surrendering a two-goal lead for the third time in four matches.

Rugby - starting as favourites to go through against lower division opponents - went close to taking an early lead when Justin Marsden laid the ball off to Craig Dutton who chipped to the far post.
Gary Moran came racing in, but his shot was blocked by a defender on the line.
Another excellent chance followed for striker Dave Pearson - starting in place of the suspended Robbie Beard - who headed a left wing cross from Jamie Williams into the grateful arms of Clevedon goalkeeper Scott Corderoy.

However, on 31 minutes United got the breakthrough they deserved, Rory Squire stooping to nod home after Dutton flicked on another Williams corner at the near post.
Seven minutes later United grabbed another, Pearson ghosting in behind a hesitant Clevedon defence to lash home through the legs of Corderoy.

If Rugby had maintained their two-goal cushion until the break, then the final result might well have been different.

But, true to recent form they handed the visitors' a lifeline on 43 minutes when woeful defending from a corner presented Mike Regan with the simplest of opportunities.
In the second half, United's effort faltered as the visitors applied some pressure for the first time in the game.

A cross drilled in dangerously from the right by Kye Holly was plucked out of the air by goalkeeper Mike Payne, making his United debut.
A long clearance by Corderoy released Jack Pitcher who squandered the opportunity by shooting straight at Payne.

With Rugby's confidence visibly ebbing away, Leon Hapgood delivered invitingly across the face of goal and Payne got down well to push away an angled shot from Holly.
Pitcher then raced away to chip wide with only Payne to beat, before Regan exploited more gaps in the Valley defence to equalise in the 68th minute from 20 yards.
United substitute Jon Douglas came on in the 82nd minute, a change which seemed to be the catalyst for a late United rally. And, with seconds remaining a flick on from the substitute landed perfectly into the run of Pearson.

The striker wanted far too much time to line up his shot and Hapgood chased back to execute the goal saving challenge that condemned United to a long mid-week trip to North Somerset for the replay.