Crellin gives Hastings second chance

The Ryman Premier side were visiting Conference North opposition for the second round in a row, and it seemed as if history might repeat itself when Sean Ray’s battlers drew level in the second half, just as they had at Bishop’s Stortford. This time, though, there was no late winner and they had to settle for a replay at the Pilot Field on Tuesday week.

The Yorkshire side were on top for much of the first half and Tom Platt put them ahead five minutes before the break, making the most of Hastings’ failure to deal with a corner.

Undaunted, Hastings took control after the interval and deservedly equalised on the hour when Bradley Goldberg hit a post and Jamie Crellin rammed in the rebound. He had not found the net since September 8, when he set the cup run in motion with the opener in the 3-1 win over Chatham in the first qualifying round.

Harrogate piled on the pressure in the closing stages and Chib Chilaka headed against the bar. But Hastings held out and now wait to see the reward for the replay victors.