BINFIELD survived a late scare to win 3-2 at Buckingham Athletic and earn a mouth-watering home tie with neighbours Bracknell Town in the second and final qualifying round of the FA Vase.

The Moles appeared to be strolling to victory when they led 3-0 with seven minutes remaining after substitutes Matt Jones and Luke Hayden had added to Michael Walton’s early goal.

But the South Midlands League side scored two late goals to set up a nervy finish.

They had trailed from the seventh minute when Walton headed the home Jack Broome’s corner.

Despite this early boost, the Moles struggled to find their usual rhythm for the rest of the first half and their keeper, Garry Aulsberry, had to be alert to keep out efforts from Robbie Carter and Neil King.

Binfield had a let off when a left-wing cross was deflected over Aulsberry, but the ball came back off the far post to safety.

There was more goalmouth action at the other end, with James Charlton seeing his header blocked before volleying the rebound over the bar. The lively Liam Ferdinand and James Knight also went close to doubling their side’s advantage.

With an hour of the game approaching, manager Roger Herridge made two changes, with Sean Moore and Jamie Connor being replaced by Hayden and Jones.

And it did not take long for the substitutes to make their mark.

On 66 minutes Hayden made ground down the left and his cross to the far post was met by Jones with a powerful header into the roof of the net.

Four minutes later 17-year-old Hayden, who had scored in the 3-0 win over Highmoor Ibis the previous Monday, raced on to Ferdinand’s pass to send a left-foot drive into the bottom corner.

But if Binfield thought they could stroll through the rest of the game they were soon mistaken.

Ririo Oshima produced a fine run and finish to open Buckingham’s account on 83 minutes and a minute later the hosts reduced their deficit again even further when Carter brilliantly looped a header over Aulsberry.

Binfield, however, held on comfortably were able to hold out without any further anxious moments in the closing stages.