Basingstoke Town come close to FA Cup upset

Conference South leaders Basingstoke Town came close to knocking out the side one place above them this afternoon as the Conference's bottom side AFC Telford United held them to a 1-1 draw at the Soccer AM Stadium.

Louie Soares threatened early on for the home side with a neat turn and strike, but his effort was blocked.

Telford took the lead on 19 minutes when Rod McDonald curled a free kick home with the help of a slight deflection after Sean Cooke had been fouled on the edge of the box.

Basingstoke had a chance to draw level just before half time when McDonald played Soares onside but the striker's effort was tipped over by Jonathan Hedge.

However, the home side were level five minutes after the restart when Chris Flood headed home a Soares corner from six yards out.

The home side applied plenty of second-half pressure as they looked to advance to the second round, but Telford held on to secure a replay at New Bucks Head.