(aet, 5-4 pens)

Adam Ben-Saud nets the winning Rovers penalty
photo courtesy of Paul Tebbutt

With 210 minutes of football played it was down to two saves by Haverhill goalkeeper Arron Benstead and a penalty by Adam Ben-Saud to decide this tie, the hosts going through to the Second Round Qualifying 5-4 on penalties after neither side could score over 120 minutes of football.

In a game of end-to-end football good attempts on goal were rare, Ben-Saud's header after a sharp cross on the turn by Paul Stokes being the home side's best effort of the game after 6 minutes, Mildenhall 'keeper Ben Nower turning the effort around his upright.

The away side's best chance fell to substitute Joey Abbs in injury time at the end of the 90 minutes, his shot when unmarked going off Benstead's knees and away to safety.

Penalty kicks were then on the agenda with Mildenhall taking theirs first. Simon Betts (Mildenhall) and Marcus Hunt (Haverhill) both scored to make it 1-1, Matt Robinson (M) and Richard Heller (H) then having their attempts saved. Andy Pettit, Abbs and Gareth Simpson (M) and Marc Abbott, Wayne Goddard and Benstead (H) then scored their spot kicks to make it 4-4 and sudden death.

The full drama of the game then began with Graham Rush's kick for Mildenhall. His effort for saved by Benstead, only for the referee to ask for the kick to be retaken. It was and Benstead pulled off another fine stop to leave his side with a chance for the win, Ben-Saud making sure his side progressed as he found the net with his effort.

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 - Andy Palazon (for Adam Salmons, 54), Ryan Holder (for Louie Farrington, 93), Mark Abbs, Ben Cowling (for Paul Stokes, 59), Paul Abbott.
Goals - None.
Bookings - Marc Abbott (40, persistent infringement), Ben Cowling (109, foul), Ryan Holder (116, dissent).
Red cards - None.

MILDENHALL : Ben Nower, Graham Rush, Lewis Blois, Dave Werthmann, Andy Eady, Gareth Simpson, Paul Miles, Niall Inman, Andy Pettit, Ben Cranfield, Daniel Flack.
Subs - Simon Betts (for Daniel Flack, 93), Aron Rutter, Matt Robinson (for Ben Cranfield, 81), Joey Abbs (for Niall Inman, 76), Josh Pope.
Goals - None.
Bookings - Daniel Flack (83, foul), Andy Eady (94, foul), Matt Robinson (113, dissent).
Red cards - None.