It was déjà vu for AFC Telford as they were robbed of a famous cup victory by a painfully late equaliser for the second time this season. 

In November it was Southend who scored in injury-time to mar the celebrations in what would have been a famous FA Cup giantkilling act. 

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This time Southport were the lucky beneficiaries of a deflected goal, theirs coming two minutes from time to deny Telford – for now – a place in the semi-finals of the FA Trophy. 

It was cruel on a team of patched-up walking wounded who gave every drop of blood, sweat and tears for the cause and really deserve to be looking forward today to playing for a place at Wembley. 

Boss Rob Smith really did struggle just to send out 11 players at the start of the game, such is the headache he has been given by an ever-increasing injury list. 

Danny Carey-Bertram was carrying a knee injury that should really have seen him in the stand resting, while midfielder Jamie Vermiglio started even though he has a suspected stress fracture in his back. 

He was partnered in the middle by Carl Rodgers, who only last Tuesday suffered a deep gash in his shin that required several stitches. 

That the trio were included was a calculated gamble by the manager. It so very nearly paid off. 

Telford were the better side from the off and were unlucky to fall behind after only seven minutes, Kevin Lee heading in off Matty McGinn’s free-kick. 

The response from the hosts was almost immediate, Jon Adams striking a lovely equaliser – more shades of Southend – after excellent work on the right from Lee Vaughan. 

From that point, the Bucks really did take over as the dominant force in the game and created a string of chances to go in front. 

Vaughan smashed a shot into the side-netting while Rodgers had a goalbound effort charged down by the Southport defence. 

The pressure was growing and it eventually resulted in a penalty, Lee adjudged to have pushed over Terry Fearns as he tried to get onto Liam Blakeman’s lofted ball into the box. 

It seemed a harsh decision, but Telford were not about to refuse a gift – even if Danny Carey-Bertram did fail to convert with his strike from 12-yards. 

Keeper Tony McMillan threw himself left to palm out the prolific striker’s spot-kick, but it dropped straight back at his feet and he made no mistake second time around. 

Telford so nearly had a third in first half injury-time, but Rodgers’ half-volley off a corner was well-saved by McMillan and the shell-shocked Sandgrounders were able to return to the sanctuary of the dressing room just one goal down. 

Their manager then introduced midfielder Kevin Leadbetter at the break and he played a major role in turning the game around. 

Having only joined on Friday on loan from Fleetwood, he caused Telford a whole host of problems as they began to sit back deeper in their own half. 

The debutant came close to an equaliser on 54 minutes, unleashing a 25-yard thunderbolt that Young reached at full length to tip around the box. 

The Bucks’ main threat came on the break and they saw Vaughan denied after another eye-catching surge on the right while Rodgers again went close with a long-range effort only narrowly off target. 

The job got harder inside the last 20 minutes though, as both Carey-Bertram and Vermiglio were finally forced to give way by their aching bodies. 

With limited options on the bench – neither Andy Brown or Simon Forsdick were really fit enough to play and were only selected “to give Liam Watson something to think about” – Smith had little choice but to pack his defence. 

It so nearly paid off until the 88th minute, when Steve Jagielka was penalised for a high boot. 

The decision frustrated Smith in the Telford dugout, and his anger was off the Richter scale seconds later as Leadbetter’s effort deflected off Michael Powell and trickled past the helpless Young to force a replay. 

We all know how that Southend tie ended up in the FA Cup – here’s hoping Smith can find enough able bodies tomorrow night to go one better this time. 

No-one is in the mood for another heroic defeat. 

By Chris Hudson