Boss Rob Smith today hailed AFC Telford United’s FA Cup heroes after their dramatic 2-2 draw with Southend, and insisted: “We could still win the replay.

“Two Jon Adams goals saw hosts Telford come from behind to lead the League One side 2-1 in Saturday’s first round clash before conceding a heart-breaking stoppage time equaliser.

See our match photo gallery here

The Shrimpers will now be hot favourites to win the replay a week tomorrow and set up a second round tie with Luton or Altrincham on November 29, but Smith insists the tie is far from over.

“We’ve got nothing to fear going down there,” the Bucks chief said. “It will be tougher – especially as our lads will have been at work in the day as well – but I don’t see why we can’t go there and win.

“We said before the game that no-one comes here (to the New Bucks Head) and beats us, and they still haven’t.”

Smith admitted his side’s brave display had thrilled him, and he also paid tribute to the fans for playing their part.

“I’m so proud of the performance – I don’t know how much more I can get out of these boys,” he added.

“What an occasion it was. I don’t think I’ve ever heard noise like when we equalised before.

“It was a proper cauldron and I don’t think they fancied it. The problem was the players couldn’t hear me so I had to shout up and I was losing my voice a little bit by the end.

“Me and Larry (Chambers, the assistant manager) have had 10 years in football management and this was our first time in the first round of the FA Cup.

“It’s everything it’s cracked up to be.”

Southend boss Steve Tilson was relieved to escape with a draw thanks to Jean-Francois Christophe’s deflected equaliser, but insisted his side should have won comfortably.

“I can’t believe Peter Clarke’s goal was disallowed and if that had stood then the game would’ve been over,” he said.

“Credit to Telford – they came back into it – but up until their first goal I didn’t feel like they were really causing us too many problems.”

Meanwhile, Telford midfielder Emeka Nwadike marked the first game of his loan at Hinckley with the second goal in a 2-0 win at Redditch.

Striker Jarred Stevens was also on target as he turned out for Rushall Olympic in their 3-1 win over Stocksbridge Park Steels.

By Chris Hudson