BRACKNELL Town hit back from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw at Brimscombe & Thrupp in the FA Cup Preliminary Round on Saturday.

With his squad decimated by injury and unavailability, Robins manager Keith Pennicott-Bowen drafted in two former players in the shape of Tom Barratt and Tom Williams, with both playing well.

The early chances fell to the home side with Karl Nash finding Ben Deakin who cut inside but saw Garry Aulsberry tip his effort around the post.

However, Brimscombe did take a 27th minute lead when Williams lost possession and Simon Clarke was able to chip Aulsberry from a very tight angle.

Less than 60 seconds later the sides should have been level when Shane Cooper-Clark robbed Ben Snook and released Martin Bradshaw, but he squandered a great chance by firing wide.

And that miss was punished in the 34th minute when a quick break down the right saw Ollie Pitt cross for an unmarked Deakin to finish coolly.

The Robins pulled a goal back on 42 minutes after Barratt beat two players and sent a low ball into the box which Cooper-Clark fired into the right hand corner.

Bracknell nearly levelled early in the second half when Ebenezer Opoku-Ware saw his goal-bound shot strike a defender on the line and was cleared, and Cooper-Clark then saw a 28-yard free-kick well saved by Steve Sparrow.

Although Deakin scored the second Brimscombe goal he had seven chances in the match and had he been more clinical, his team probably would have won.

Twice he fired wide whilst he also shot over when well placed on the edge of the box.

Substitute Joe Tustain was unlucky not to extend the lead as Aulsberry pushed his lobbed effort onto the post before Clarke sent the ball wide right as the hosts could not close the match out.

The Bracknell fans prayed for one last chance and they got it when two substitutes combined for an 87th minute equaliser.

The lively Opoku-Ware sent a pass inside to full-back Josh Jones and Josh Delander did well to get around him and deliver a low cross which Opoku-Ware was able to meet after continuing his run and he fired across goal into the bottom left hand corner.

The replay was due to take place last night (Tuesday) before Robins host Hook Norton in the FA Vase on Saturday (3pm) and Rayners Lane in the Floodlit Cup next Tuesday (7.45pm).