Buxton drew 1-1 at home to in-form Kidderminster Harriers in the third round qualifier of the Emirates FA Cup, Saturday September 28, and the teams will go again at Kidderminster on Tuesday evening.
It was a game of hard work by two lively sides, but with few chances, and the visitors gradually took the upper hand in the second half to put the Bucks' defence, marshalled by the outstanding Kieran Burton, under extreme pressure.
Injuries continue to blight the Bucks, with five first-team regulars missing, but team manager John McGrath has assembled a strong squad, now led by new captain Connor Kirby, and they always looked in with a workable chance, until the last-quarter barrage by the Harriers. Ben Sault got the ball in the back of the visitors' net in the 43rd minute, chalked off because of an infringement.
Defender Burton was the first to score, from close range in the 65th minute, before an unmarked Harry Ibbitson levelled things up four minutes later. Busy Ibbitson, on loan from Bradford City, was making his debut. Full Match Report HERE
Boss John McGrath was philosophical about the result. He said afterwards: "We were poor in the first half, better in the second, and still being in the FA Cup is great. After we scored, I expected us to be under the cosh and we were.
"Our two centre-halves were superb and their performances important to the result, important to us remaining in the competition. The lads were backed by a noisy, enthusiastic crowd and that's much appreciated. Now for the replay."
The Bucks will be at home to Curzon Ashton in the Vanarama National League North next Saturday, kick-off 3pm.
Comments