ASCOT United produced a heroic display to defeat Didcot Town 4-3 in a tumultuous FA Cup tie on Saturday.

The Yellamen had cruised into a 3-0 lead before Didcot fought back and almost drew level, although the home side finally derailed the Railwaymen late on.

The visitors made a decent start at the Racecourse Ground, with Ben Whitehead seeing an early effort smothered by Carl Dennison in their first attack, before Charlie Samuels smashed wide for Ascot following an indirect free-kick, awarded in the box when Leigh Bedwell handled a backpass.

Andy Ballard was superbly marshalled by Steven Deverall when he looked well-placed to give the visitors a 10th-minute lead, but it still took a decent save to deny Ascot moments later when Bedwell stood up to thwart Samuels from a tight angle.

After an end-to-end opening quarter of an hour the game settled, but it was Ascot who stung Didcot after 37 minutes. Samuels, a livewire in the Ascot attack, had too much pace and skill for his marker and smashed home after his initial effort was too hot for Bedwell.

Ballard and Ryan Brooks both had raking efforts that sailed wide of the left hand post as Didcot battled for a leveller before half-time, but they ultimately trailed.

And Ascot seemed to have the game under control courtesy of two quick-fire goals early in the second half.

Firstly, Jack Smillie’s brilliant long pass found Samuels, who rounded Bedwell and waited for three covering defenders to fill the goal line before drilling through a crowd of bodies.

Then, still licking their wounds, Didcot went three down when Luke Wilson raced clear and, although Bedwell saved, Louie Gilpin was on hand to confidently drill through another mass of bodies.

Incredibly, Ben Knight then struck the inside of both posts with a shot which would have killed off the tie – 64 minutes now played – before Didcot threw five men up front.

Substitute Alex Woodhouse should have nodded the visitors back into it when Dennison came and changed his mind, but the hosts were given another chance for a fourth when Bedwell’s clumsy challenge on Samuels ended with a 67th minute penalty. However, it was Bedwell who triumphed, standing up well to deny Samuels a hat-trick.

James Brazier was then on hand to tackle substitute Jack Powell, although from the resultant corner the same player drilled through a crowd of players for a 77th-minute lifeline.

Whitehead then converted an 84th-minute penalty – awarded for handball – and cue a grandstand finish where the game pivoted on one crucial moment.

Sam Elkins, through on goal for Didcot, blazed over with moments remaining, and Ascot then broke, Bedwell failed to clear with sufficient distance, and substitute Samir Regragui lobbed straight back into his net from 25 yards.

Incredibly 4-2 became 4-3 when Didcot scrambled an injury time lifeline, but there was insufficient time for an even later goal and Ascot booked a place in the first qualifying round.

Ascot had previously won 3-2 at Highworth Town in the Hellenic League Premier Division last Wednesday, Luke Wilson netting twice and Brazier once.

Ascot visit Longlevens on Saturday (3pm).