AFC Dunstable aim to sparkle against AFC Rushden & Diamonds in FA Vase replay

AFC Dunstable held former Football League side AFC Rushden & Diamonds to a 1-1 home draw after extra-time in FA Vase first round qualifying at Creasey Park on Saturday.

Chris Francis had given AFC the lead on 34 minutes in front of a crowd of 303, only for Diamonds to level on 57 minutes.

After a shaky first five minutes AFC grew into the game and started to dominate the midfield.

The hosts had the tall, pacey Francis up-front, and after 34 minutes he shrugged off the challenge of Alex Deakin as he burst through the centre of the Diamonds defence before firing low into the net.

Another good chance fell to Richard Harker after a cross from the right cleared everyone but he fired just over.

Although AFC had the better of the first half, Diamonds dominated the second period.

Matt Gearing had an early chance after good work from Russ Dunkley and Alfie Taylor, but saw his shot blocked, before Diamonds levelled when Dunkley’s neat back header from Fazel Koriya’s free-kick looped into the net for a deserved equaliser.

Francis then missed a great opportunity moments later after going clean through, before Diamonds sub Aaron King curled a good chance wide after combining with Koriya.

Late chances fell to Taylor and Koriya to settle the tie as the game went into extra-time where the hosts had the better of the contest.

Tom Cross did well to smother a Francis effort in a quiet opening 15 minutes, before tiring Diamonds brought on Sean McBride and switched to a 4-3-3 formation as they lost their shape.

With his first touch George Higley shot wide with the goal gaping after good work on the right by Francis and Courtney Massey, Jonathan Barnett went close and AFC had a good penalty shout turned down as the contest finsihed all square.

The pair are due to replay tomorrow night (Tuesday), kick-off 7.45pm.

On Saturday AFC host Hadley in the league and on Wednesday go to London Lions.

AFC: Ryan Darby, Courtney Massey, Kyle Lincoln, James Baldry (C), Dan Ryan, Gareth Harnaman, Jonathan Cooper (James Bishop 66), Craig Butler, Chris Francis, Dale Turney (Jonathan Barnett 92), Richard Harker (George Higley 105). Substitutes not used: Jack Lauder, Carl Ibbotson.

Diamonds: Tom Cross, Joe Merrill, Jake Gillingwater, Brad Harris, Alex Deakin, Jamal Clarke, Nat Liburd (Sean McBride 105), Elliot Dent (Aaron King 65), Russ Dunkley (C), Alfie Taylor, Matt Gearing (Fazel Koriya 56). Substitutes not used: Quincy Shorunmu.

Attendance: 303.

Star AFC Men: Dan Ryan & James Baldry.