Adders still dreaming of Wembley despite 'handing' Worcester a route back into FA Vase tie

Atherstone 1 (Ruff 41) Worcester City 1 (Adaggio 63) After extra time

Atherstone Town have one foot keeping the pages of club history open but careless hands left them with a "large hill" to climb in reaching for the peak of their FA Vase ambitions.

Community FC chairman Brian Henney had half a smile as he spoke of the Wembley dream being very much alive.

The Adders are in Monday's draw of the last eight of the competition for the first time as the Town.

But they have the small matter of travelling to Midland Football League Premier outfit Worcester City for a last 16 replay after being held 1-1 at Sheepy Road on Saturday afternoon in a game that still couldn't separate the sides after extra time.

Henney told Atherstone Nub News after a game which exploded into life on and off the pitch: "We are still in the draw. We go again on Wednesday, still on the road the Wembley."

Like the most of the 842 fans who trooped out the Mark Wester Community Stadium after 120 minutes – he must have been left wondering "if only" as Adders held sway, and a 1-0 advantage through Josh Ruff, until mid-way through the second period when keeper Carl O'Neil spilled a routine volley and let in Worcester's Marco Adaggio to square the teams.

Because make no mistake the Adders had this tie under control as they went in at half-time 1-0 up.

They always looked as though they had time and a player spare in this contest against higher-ranked opposition – and for 35 minutes they were literally a man up after Worcester's Kurtis Mewies committed footballing hari-kari with a late scissor-kick challenge in front of the Adders dugout.

After the home side was kept on level terms when keeper Carl O'Neill saved at the near post from Adaggio, Adders began to flex their attacking muscle.

Rival keeper Dan Jezeph was called into action to stopped a well-drilled shot from Atherstone's man-of-the-match Sam Belcher.

And it was Belcher again who was on the end of a Joe Obi-Ruff combination to see another shot blocked.

Leaden feet from Joe McNulty let in Sean Brain with a wonderful opportunity to open the scoring for the visitors, but O'Neil forced the central striker to go wide and the defence recovered to block his shot.

On 39 minutes Ryan Quinn went close with a low drive but two minutes later it was Adders who appeared to be taking a giant step towards a quarter-final berth when Belcher again provided a lesson in controlled passing to set up Josh Ruff.

He looked to lost the opportunity to turned back inside in the box and sent a left-footed drive heading into the Worcester net via a slight deflection.

No cup tie is complete without incident and this one was no exception as the goal literally sparked a reaction from the crowd and smoke rose behind the Worcester dug-out. Visitors' boss Ashley Vincent was clearly unhappy with the "missile" incident as the teams went in at half time.

Queues were 20 deep at the burger bar as the second half got underway with a streaker, clad only in his underwear and appearing to make a play for civic dignitaries in the stands.

But the excitement seemed to have a negative reaction on Atherstone's players and their opponents came out after the interval fired up.

On 55 minutes Adaggio was dragged down by keeper O'Neil who was yellow carded but Worcester's Italian striker had the last laugh when a Luke English throw-in was only half cleared by the Adders defence.

Liam Lockett struck a fairly regulation volley back but the Atherstone keeper spilled the routine attempt on goal – palming the shot straight at the feet of Adaggio who jubilantly stabbed it home.

Worcester pushed on, the dugout grumbles rumbled and Atherstone lost their way even after being presented with the gift of a foolish scissor-kick red card for Worcester's Mewies to give them a man advantage.

Extra time saw precious little action. Quinn got in behind the visiting defence for what a certain opportunity to wrap up the tie but Dan Okojie produced a critical tackle.

On 113 minutes, a cross from Atherstone's dependable left back Sam Fitzgerald saw Obi nearly break the deadlock and two crosses from Adam Goodby tested the Worcester defence , the second from a Kyle Cartwright header registering the closest effort.

Chairman Henney promised a full investigation over the streaker incident. "When we find out who he is, he will be banned for life from this ground," he said.

Team:

Adders: O'Neill, Cotton, Fitzgerald, Haines (captain), McNulty (Cartwright 101 mins), S Goodby, Quinn, Martin, Obi 6 (Taylor 116 mins), Belcher, Ruff (A Goodby 82).

Attendance: 842

More picture will be following from the game.