AFC Newbury 1

Thackley 0

A last-minute goal-line clearance robbed Thackley of a deserved replay in the FA Vase fourth round as a relieved Newbury held on for a nail-biting victory.

All 11 Thackley players were in the opposition's penalty area as the last-gasp corner came in.

Martin Packer's excellent delivery was matched by skipper Craig Sugden's header but as it flew towards the top corner a defender's head flicked it over the bar.

"We should have been looking forward to a replay, we hit the bar, had one headed off the line, had two or three great chances and three stonewall penalties turned down," said Thackley boss John Boyle.

"Two were tackles that I thought were fouls on James Riley and Adam Johnson and the third was a blatant handball. But I am really proud of the lads, they worked their socks off and have done themselves credit.

"Apart from the refereeing decisions that didn't go our way, we were still the better side overall. I think that is the best Newbury can play but we didn't do as well as we could have.

"After the first 15 minutes I thought we were through, we were that much in control of the game. We made one mistake, they scored and we couldn't take our chances when they came.

"But I can't fault the players. We ended up with a 2-3-5 system and put the home side under real pressure. They will be absolutely delighted to have gone through to the last 16 after that, but we are devastated."

Thackley had gone close more than once in a bright start but Newbury forced the first save of the game. Ryan Williams cut inside before lashing in a shot that Aaron Brian did well to keep out.

The visitors then came within a whisker of opening the scoring, Adam Johnson spotting the home keeper off his line but the dipping shot crashed against the bar.

Newbury came back to snatch the only goal of the game.

Midway through the first half Thackley were in possession and looking to mount yet another attack. Dave Nelson was robbed by Lee Chudy, who went on a diagonal run into the area before crossing to Shane Small-King, who beat Brian with a shot.

Just three minutes into the second half, Lee Reilly went down in the area under a heavy challenge from Dominic Green but the referee waved away the claims for a spot-kick.

It was the first of the three penalty shouts that went against the Bradford side.

They refused to drop their focus or work-rate and came strong again.

Reilly went close and a fine move forced a corner from which a Sugden header was cleared.

Forwards Joel Etienne and Andy Patterson were introduced from the bench and ten minutes from time the latter hit a snap shot that was blocked for another corner.

Then the final onslaught had Newbury under the cosh but with grit, determination and a huge slice of luck they stood firm.

"I'm not one for criticising officials but I have to say the referee cost us, we definitely shouldn't have lost," added Boyle.

"We created more than they did, defended well and we feel a bit bitter that our run in the FA Vase has ended like this."