For the Stan, the road to Wembley began at Division 1 Seaham Red Star in front of a scattering of fans although the red and white versus black and white stripes added to the cup excitement. There were 4 changes from Wednesday with Robinson playing up front on his own until Hoggins came on in the second half.

Nothing much happened in the first 25 minutes with both teams struggling to create chances. Seaham shot well wide after 26 and a minute later the best move of the match so far saw Kerridge make a great run and cross to Robertson in the box whose shot was blocked by a defender for a corner which the keeper caught.

 After another Stan attack, a Seaham attack in 29 minutes saw Regan catch. Seaham then shot just wide twice before in the 32nd minute another shot brought a fine stretching save from Regan. In 38 minutes Holland made a good run and cross but the ball was blocked before Kerridge could hit it in the box. Robertson then defended well then at the other end great work by him saw him bring the ball down but his shot went over. 

Seaham attacked in 43 minutes but the Stan defence stood well and the home team eventually shot well over. Robertson then worked well and sent the ball out wide to Jones on the edge of the box whose good shot went just over the bar. The relatively even half finished with Regan catching at the other end.

The second half started with Regan having to save. In 48 minutes, Robertson attacked and under pressure he shot with the keeper putting the ball out for a corner. From the corner, Bailey’s header was blocked by the keeper. Soon after, a great shot by Kerridge from outside the box forced the home keeper to get down to save at full stretch.

The Stan had started the half the better team although in 52 minutes Regan caught a Seaham shot. The Stan then attacked with Hall swivelling and shooting from the edge of the box although his effort went just wide. A Holland run and cross to Robertson saw him shoot at the keeper. 

The next 10 minutes saw mainly Seaham pressure with them having 3 shots. In 64 minutes, Seaham took the lead from a corner when the ball went through the crowded box and was put in at the far side of the goal by Paul Gardner. After a 5 minute lull Seaham had the ball in the net again but from an off-side header. 

 In 73 minutes Deagle broke through and forced a defender to pass back to the keeper, though the referee did not act, and he could not catch the ball and put it out for a corner. 2 minutes later a long ball to Robertson saw him and a defender run into each other although a foul was given against him. There was lots of action in the middle of the park although both sides were trying to get forward.

 In 79 minutes Regan made a save before a long ball to Robertson saw him under pressure in the home box but again a foul was given against him. In 81 minutes, Seaham shot in the box forcing a great save by Regan which saw him tip the ball over the bar. 2 minutes later and the Stan were back level as Bailey passed to the advancing Burns on the right who crossed to Jones in the box who slotted the ball into the net to the delight of his team mates and the travelling Stan Army.

 Regan then had to catch before Jones’s shot from outside the box was caught by the Seaham keeper. A Seaham attack was cleared before Hoggins countered. The Stan were pushing for a winning goal now and were pressurising the home defence. In 88 minutes, a Jones cross to Hoggins saw him hesitate and his shot was blocked by the keeper. A Seaham player then attacked beating 2 defenders but his shot luckily skimmed the outside of the post. The Stan then had a corner that was headed clear. The Stan kept attacking to the final whistle but had to be happy with a draw.

There was not a division between the teams and the Stan should approach the replay with confidence. It will take place, probably in front of a bigger crowd but still with a majority of Stan fans, on Wednesday night at Grounsell Park with the winners travelling to Consett for the Preliminary Round tie.

Heaton Stannington: Regan, Parker, Sayer, Miller, Hall, Fulcher (Hoggins 70), Holland (Burns 62), Bailey, Robertson, Jones, Kerridge (Deagle 63).

Subs Not Used: Imray, Wilson.

Goals: Jones 83.

Referee: Sam Bayley.

Assistants: David Jarvis, Dean Whitwell.

Attendance: 76 (20-25 Stan Army)

Kev Mochrie