RELIEVED Badshot Lea bosses Gavin Smith and Dave Ford saw their in-form side move into the next round of the FA Cup on Tuesday night – but only after Ascot United threw everything bar the kitchen sink at them in the closing stages.

Two goals in three dramatic minutes from striker Shaq Williams and substitute Nic Ciardini midway through the second half cancelled out Ascot front man Usman Lalustani’s first-half opener.

But the Baggies, who came from two goals down on Saturday to earn a replay with a last-gasp equaliser from centre half Liam Flanaghan, had to endure a surprising five minutes of stoppage time as United piled on the pressure in the closing stages.

“It was a bit like the Alamo at the end, it seemed to go on for ages,” admitted Smith.

“We were worried about pushing forward too much because we didn’t need to and because there wasn’t long left, but that just invited them on. It was nerve-racking – you just wanted it done and dusted.”

The win sets up a preliminary round tie away at Wessex League Premier Division side Christchurch next Friday, August 23 - the tie having brought forward from the Saturday because of a venue clash - and guarantees more than £3,000 in prize money.

“The club has absolutely no idea how things are going to go this year in terms of money. It’s all new to everyone, so anything we can bring in is brilliant,” added Smith.

Farnham Town’s hopes of joining Badshot Lea in the next round were snuffed out by Wessex Premier side Fleet Town at the Memorial Ground on Tuesday night.

Luke Turkington’s boys led through a first-half Charlie Oakley goal before Enow Long and Tom Williams broke Town hearts.

And Alresford Town’s bid to reach the preliminary round and a tie against Farnham’s conquerors Fleet Town were dashed when they were beaten 2-1 in a replay at Baffins Milton Rovers on Wednesday night.

For FA Cup reports and more reaction, see this week’s Farnham Herald.