Adam Salmons nets the equaliser for Haverhill
photo courtesy of Paul Tebbutt

This eventful F.A. Cup tie will need a replay after controversy at one end of the field and confusion at the other meant that these teams finished level at the end of the match.

Mildenhall had a large quantity of the possession during the first period, although it took an extremely contentious decision for them to take the lead, Haverhill defender Marcus Hunt seemingly trapping a low cross in front of him and host striker John Taylor going down, the referee awarding a penalty and Ben Cranfield converting the spot kick past goalkeeper Arron Benstead to give his team the lead after 41 minutes.

The half time talk for Haverhill spurred them into action for the second half and they came into the match, their equaliser coming into the 69th minute when Paul Stokes' sliced effort came off a defender and into the path of Adam Salmons; the latter put the ball past goalkeeper Ben Nower only for the assistant referee's flag to be raised. Following a discussion between the referee and his assistant it was found that the flag was indicating an offside call for the deflection but, as it was off a defender, the goal was eventually given.

Stokes and Salmons both came close in the closing stages but neither were able to prevent this tie needing a further match to decide it.

ROVERS : Arron Benstead, Louie Farrington, Wayne Goddard, Richard Heller, Colin Vowden, Joe Harvey, Marc Abbott, Marcus Hunt, Paul Stokes, Adam Salmons, Adam Ben-Saud.
Subs - Ben Cowling (for Paul Stokes, 85), Dan Pilcher (for Louie Farrington, 84), Ryan Holder (for Richard Heller, 90+5).
Goals - Adam Salmons (69).
Bookings - Paul Stokes (10, foul), Colin Vowden (41, dissent), Adam Salmons (90+4, foul).
Red cards - None.

MILDENHALL : Ben Nower, Simon Betts, Lewis Blois, Dave Werthmann, Andy Eady, Gareth Simpson, Paul Miles, Graham Rush, John Taylor, Matt Robinson, Ben Cranfield.
Subs - Daniel Flack (for John Taylor, 72), Joey Abbs (for Ben Cranfield, 84), Andy Pettit (for Matt Robinson, 84), Niall Inman, Josh Pope.
Goals - Ben Cranfield (41, penalty).
Bookings - Andy Eady (10, ungentlemanly conduct), Matt Robinson (60, dissent), Daniel Flack (74, foul).
Red cards - None.