Barton Town suffer FA Cup frustration in Hitchin defeat

Victor Osobu's effort was ruled out moments before Hitchin's winner EMN-190924-094309002

For much of the first half a great deal of midfield endeavour was not matched by clear-cut chances, but that changed before half-time.

On 43 minutes, Rovers’ Victor Osobu, showed fantastic anticipation to latch on to Nathan Tshikuna’s through ball and fired home at the second attempt, after Hitchin keeper Charlie Horlock blocked his first effort.

But a consultation saw the goal chalked off for offside only the two officials saw.

Just two minutes later, Hitchin were awarded a soft-looking free-kick against centre-back John Sonuga despite the Hitchin forward looking to be on his way to the deck before any contact.

The free-kick was fired low and hard across the box and after a bout of pinball, Lewis Barker turned in despite loud appeals for handball.

The second half followed a similar pattern with neither side able to fashion a goal-worthy chance.

Tony Williams Jr and Jerome Jibodu sent shots over the bar for the hosts, while the nearest Hitchin came to scoring was from a defensive mix-up between defender Jemale McKenzie-Lowe and keeper Forster.

In the dying seconds, Connor Vincent got his head to an in-swinging corner, but couldn’t generate the power to beat Horlock and force a deserved replay.

Rovers: Forster, Griffiths (Jibodu 63), Jones, Dummett, Sonuga, McKenzie-Lowe, Osobu, Gibson (Lukulay 75), Vincent, Williams Jr, Tshikuna. Rovers MOM: Jemale McKenzie-Lowe.