PAUL Coyne missed a stoppage-time penalty as Ascot United drew 2-2 with Tonbridge Angels in a thoroughly-entertaining high-tempo FA Cup tie at The Racecourse Ground on Sunday, writes Dave Wright.

The Yellamen had gone ahead through Charlie Samuels, but fell behind before Samuels brought the scores level again with 20 minutes remaining of this first qualifying round tie.

Five minutes from time, Samuels’s cross was headed on to the crossbar by Ben Knight and Ascot sensed they could pull off a shock win over a side who play two levels higher in the Ryman League.

And that looked possible when they were awarded a penalty in the second minute of stoppage time with Luke Wilson having his shirt pulled by James Folkes as he moved menacingly into the area from the left flank.

With the winners of the tie earning £3,000, the Ascot treasurer must have been smiling.

But this Coyne proved unlucky. He struck the ball firmly towards the left-hand post, only to see keeper Tony Di Bernardo throw himself across to brilliantly push away the spot-kick.

In the eyes of the Angels, it was a matter of Di Bernardo turning from zero to hero.

For he had made a terrible blunder in the 18th minute when he dropped a high left-wing cross from Luke Wilson and Samuels poked the ball over the line.

The visitors, backed by a large away support among the crowd of 430, had earlier gone close too and it came as no real surprise when Nathan Elder headed in a 27th-minute equaliser from Nicky Wheeler’s corner.

Elder, who has had considerable Football League experience with Brighton, Brentford and Shrewsbury, was a constant threat to the home centre-backs Wes Harrison and Jesse Wilson. He often backed into them and, at the slightest touch, went to ground.

And on the hour mark he got the penalty he was looking for with Wilson the man penalised. Luke Allen’s penalty gave keeper Carl Dennison no chance.

But Ascot, with every man working their socks off against more physical opponents, hit back and deservedly drew level on 72 minutes when Samuels, having combined with Knight, found the net with a low shot that took a deflection on its way into the goalnet.

Both sides had chances to win the tie with Ascot being denied by the crossbar and then Di Bernardo.

The replay was scheduled for tomorrow night (Tuesday) with the winners visiting Wingate & Finchley in the second qualifying round on September 17.

On Saturday Ascot are home to Tuffley Rovers in the league.