Having been a tad unfortunate to lose by the same score to a late winner at home to Tamworth, the coin landed the other side up as United did the same to a Halesowen outfit that must be on their way home in stunned silence as I write.

In terms of play and possession it was a game of two halves - United the better side in the opening 45 but having to defend resolutely in the second period as Halesowen piled on the pressure. The seriously worrying lack of playing resources was to be stretched even further - no Stuart Playford (out for up to 6 weeks after parting company with his appendix on Monday), no Duncan McArthur (we get him back on Tuesday for the game at Cambridge but then lose him for several millenia as various suspensions bite deep), no news yet on when Ellis Remy will be fit again and - after 36 minutes - no Landry who was sent off after picking up two yellow cards in the space of as many minutes.

United had started off well - Paul Ruddy back in midfield and Tommy O wearing No 4. Mylie went close on 6 minutes - a long range effort that flashed wide of the post. They were to dominate much of the opening 20 odd minutes as Halesowen failed to get going. But as the game progressed so the visitors got into it and their 4 went on a rampaging run into the area that only ended thanks to a looping deflection.

Great goal to open the scoring even if it was from a yard out. Yatesie nipped past the Halesowen 6 - rounded the keeper and having taken the ball too far to shoot himself, laid it back for Landry, but it seemed he'd hit the pass behind Landry who - somehow - stretched out and backheeled a brilliant, typical, Zahana-Oni goal. Halesowen should've been on terms within a minute but their 9 blasted over from a couple of yards out. How they must've regretted that miss as on 34 minutes U's were 2-0 up after Paul Ruddy marked his return - indeed his first game at DMP level (unless he played for Stains in their one season in the Premier*) - with a great long range effort that flew past the keeper. That move - incidentally - was started off by some fine work by Chris Honey who was to have his best game by far.

United were down to 10 men in ludicrous circumstances a couple of minutes later. It looked as if Landry took exception to Referee Cork allowing Halesowen to take liberties and several yards with a free kick - Landry booked for knocking the ball away - and having been booked by Cork who'd already shown what a clown HE was with some other weird decisions - Landry daftly applauded the yellow card which promptly resulted in another one followed by Le Carte Rouge.

Yet when half time arrived - United were comfortably in charge and had played some decent football despite the one man handicap. They might even have increased their lead - great work by Heggers to intercept a throw out by the keeper led to panic in the Halesowen area - but 2-0 it was at the interval.

Halesowen looked more purposeful in the second half and started putting the U's under some real pressure. Reward came on 57 minutes when a quick corner saw a header powered past King Dave into the roof of the net from close in. It was all hands to the pumps after that as the visitors really piled it on. It should've been 2-2 minutes after their first but a long ball into the box was headed wide by the unmarked 8. On 65 minutes their 4 went close with a sliced effort that wasn't far outside Dave's left hand post.

The almost inevitable equaliser came on 87 minutes - nice move down the U's right saw a cross buried by the Halesowen 16 to the delight of the visiting supporters. Disappointed United supporters didn't have time to be despondent for long though - a Mylie long throw was backheaded by Tony Burt and there was Simmo on hand to hook home an 88th minute winner - but only just, as the keeper got a hand to the ball but not enough to keep it out. We weren't complaining!

What a contrasting day for the Halesowen 16 Rob Elmes. Having enjoyed heading the equaliser a couple of minutes earlier - his day went from great to bad to shite in a matter of four minutes as he was sent off for unwise comments to an assistant referee.

Cambridge must hate playing us. This last gasp win at Milton Road was our fifth successive win at this location and in those five visits we've conceded just the two goals. Yet - on this occasion - City must've thought it might be their turn at last as, fresh from a 3-0 drubbing of Tiverton on Saturday, they again made an early breakthrough on 7 minutes when their 9 was found unmarked down the middle at the end of a spot on pass and he lobbed King Dave perfectly. Mark, Kev, Chris and I may well have collectively wondered at that early stage with City running the U's ragged, if the breakneck run up the M11 following holdups excessive even by A21 standards* at Lamberhurst, had been worth the effort. That first 10-15 minutes was all City who looked a thoroughly decent side.

United were as they'd been on Saturday with one exception - Macca was left on the bench and there he stayed for the 90 minutes. Indeed - none of the subs were used in the 90+ minutes that produced some fine football from both sides. Yes - both sides - cos once the U's had weathered that opening spell which was reminiscent of the game at Havant & Waterlooville in August - they were to give every bit as good as they got in a game that was tremendous value for £6.00.

Dave was to have a fine game in goal while in the City goal was one Martin Davies who played a game or two for us on loan six or seven years ago - and Davies was to have a night he'll want to forget. Dave pulled off the first of several good saves on 13 minutes when he got a hand to a nasty cross shot. On 18 minutes, a Nick Hegley cross nearly caught Davies out who was to get away with murder a couple of minutes later when a goal mouth scramble saw two clearances off the City line in succession while Davies - according to U's supporters behind the goal was preoccupied with not letting Flanners get up off the deck.

Landry had a very quiet night - he is blowing hot and cold lately - and what with Monster not getting into the game much, we did look lightweight up front once again. But Landry did produce one of those long range snap shots that tested Davies after 30 minutes. United went in 0-1 down at half time and had contributed plenty an exciting opening 45 but City had looked the better side.

All square on 49 minutes. A Heggers cross was fumbled by Davies and there was Danny Simmonds on hand to turn and hit the ball home from 10 yards to the delight of the fair number of U's supporters behind the goal - the cameraman was pretty chuffed too. A weakly directed header from Flanners was caught just under the crossbar on 53 minutes - a minute after U's had enjoyed a big slice of luck when the City hammered a long range, dipping shot against the crossbar. Davies was to earn his pennies on 62 minutes when he pulled off a good save to keep out a Monster effort - whether it was a cross or a shot we don't know - but Davies did really well to get to it.

Dave was doing well at the other end as City continued to apply pressure - but the best opportunity saw the ball fly over the bar. Another let off in the City goal - Yatesie released by Simmo into the box saw his shot deflected over Davies only for the ball to be cleared off the line once again. A long throw from Mylie caused problems in the City box - the ball fell to Landry who's shot flew wide of the post when he might've done better.

Plenty going on in Dave's goal mouth where he had to stretch to tip an effort around the angle of bar and post. Then the City 11 went down only for the referee to book him for diving. Er - more on Referee James further on. That 11 was to bring out another good save from Dave in the 88th minute - and as the game headed to it's conclusion with a draw probably the fairest result - came the sucker punch with Martin Davies playing an unfortunate part again. The ball was half cleared by the City defence to Simmo who was on the edge of the area - his shot seemed to lack power but Davies couldn't hold onto it and there was Mylie nipping in to tuck away the rebound four minutes into stoppage time and by so doing - treat us all to an exhibition of Mylobatics.

A hugely entertaining game - both sides played some fine football - and the U's nicked it to go to 7th in the table just four points behind topdogs (and dogs they are) Crawley! Well played boys. Tremendous stuff.

A big game and what a massive result as the U's thoroughly deservedly booked their place in the 4th Qualifying Round's draw which I believe will be made on Monday. A winning margin of one goal was nowhere near enough to reflect United's superiority especially in the opening 45 when David Hook in the Hendon goal made three fine saves - one of them outstanding - with the angle of bar and post coming to their rescue when Hook was beaten.

United had to reshuffle their already depleted playing resources when Stuart Myall was upended after five minutes and had to be substituted - thus giving James Body his first team debut rather earlier than he'd have expected.

Hendon are doing very well in the Ryman Premier where they've only lost the one game all season. But that first 45 was to very much belong to the U's in terms of possession and chances as stated earlier. David Hook was Man of the Match by a distance for his work in that opening session - the save to keep out an outstanding Zahana-Oni volley in the 38th minute was top class. He'd also had to pull off a couple of good saves low to his left to deny Tony Burt's long range effort in the 10th minute and he did even better to get a hand to Landry's header that seemed destined for the bottom left corner. Paul Ruddy - like our Rudds has never been away - went even closer - an edge of the box effort against the angle of bar and post on 25 minutes.

While the U's had more than shaded the first half - Hendon had showed glimpses of form up front where their nippy little 7 looked capable of being a handful. But with his defence being so much on the back foot, Eugene Ofori didn't get much in the way of opportunities and King Dave had little to do in front of the covered end which was occupied by plenty of noisy Hendon supporters.

The second half started with Hendon looking determined to get into the game but it was at the other end where the opening goal came. A long cross field ball found James Body - who was to show some good touches - and his cross into the box wasn't cleared and the ball, possibly with the assistance of Tony Burt's head, landed at the foot of Danny Simmonds who hit a superb curling effort first time into the top left corner with Hook statuesque. Great goal Simmo.

Hendon could've been level within a couple of minutes - a good long range effort from Ofori who's dipping shot didn't dip quite enough to trouble Dave. But a warning all the same. Dave's first real save came in the 82nd minute when he did well to palm away a cross shot that had a lot of pace on it. That was after he'd nearly fouled up dealing with a cross from the right that had U's supporters reaching for fresh underwear.

It looked all over on 86 minutes. Graham Webb - on rather earlier for the injured Chris Honey who's form had looked better once again - got on the end of a booted clearance from the edge of the U's box, did brilliantly to turn two Hendon defenders inside out and curled a shot round Hook and just inside the post for 2-0. But Hendon were back in the game almost immediately when a shot from outside the box was deflected past Dave off Ofori to give the Ryman outfit an undeserved chance of rescuing the tie.

An eventful five minutes followed with the most turmoil for U's supporters being the goal mouth scramble that followed a free kick needlessly conceded on the edge of the area as injury time loomed. Dave couldn't hold onto the free kick and it took a swinging boot to clear the danger. Webbie might've made it 3-1 but as he shaped to shoot from close in, a fine last ditch tackle robbed him of the ball.

Arms raised and big cheers all round when the final whistle went to wrap up a fine afternoon's entertainment and to wrap up a great performance by a U's side that seems to get more determined when those paper thin playing resources take another bashing. That's £17,500 from the FA Cup this season with - hopefully - more to come. Very useful income.

United supporters had only recently celebrated a win at Cambridge as home supporters gathered at the tunnel to let Referee Ron James know just what they thought of his performance. But while the U's had given as good as they'd got at Milton Road in a seesaw game, they were to spend much of the 90 minutes at the very well laid out Ladysmead stadium on the back foot as Tiverton mounted attack after attack. And once again - the man in the middle's performance will surely occupy the thoughts of many who were at this game.

United's resources were stretched to the limit for this game at third placed Tiverton who boasted a good home record - W 5, D1, L1. No Playford (out for at least another four weeks), Myall (only just off crutches), McArthur (suspended with more to come we think) and Zahana-Oni (also suspended). Even with those four in the side the squad is on the small side - without them it's paper thin. The three subs were Graham Webb, Tim Oluronda and Joe Cornwall while James Body was straight in the side wearing Mylie's 7 shirt while Ellis Remy was back in after that long layoff with hamstring trouble. Mike Flanagan was in charge as George was up in Northamptonshire watching Kettering's Conference game against Barnet.

United were to spend most of the first half in their own half as Tiverton applied plenty of pressure on King Dave's goal. And there can be no doubt that it was Tiverton's poor finishing that saw the two sides go off all square at half time. The home 11 was to have one of those afternoons with the lowlight as far as he was concerned being the shot over after Dave had dropped a cross on 25 minutes - U's should have been a goal down. Poor ball control seemed to bedevil Tiverton on a couple of occasions as other half chances were spurned and Rudds was on hand to head clear when a corner was connected with - I think Dave might've got to it anyway - but Rudds made sure. Dave didn't have much work to do - oddly - so far as saves were concerned - a weakly hit free kick at the foot of a post and having to palm away a looping cross - the bulk of the work was done by his defenders who were outstanding throughout.

At the other end - well, not a lot to report. The best chance fell to Ellis who was picked out by a superb long ball from Simmo (WHY do some people find fault with the "long ball") - but as he was about to shoot a sliding tackle took the chance away. Chris Honey - one of those afternoons for Monster again, I'm afraid - wanted too long and was bundled off the ball when a quicker reaction was needed.

So, 0-0 at half time, and there was a weird end to that first 45 with spectators not sure what the referee's whistle had gone for as a Tiverton player went down in the box - they thought it was for a penalty - we were relieved it was to signal half time!

United were to have more possession in the second half and by the end of proceedings, it was the home keeper who was to have come up with the best saves. The U's were awarded a free kick just inside halfway on 54 minutes - a disputed decision which we didn't argue with - but the Tivvy players had a point as it did look a poor decision by Mr Hollick. And Simmo's free kick was met by Tony Burt's curling header which the keeper did superbly to reach and push past the post.

58 minutes gone and the U's were awarded a corner which Simmo took. Now - I didn't see it and the video was inconclusive - but there was a big shout for handball from the other guys behind the goal and the spot kick was given. It appeared to be a raised hand as players went up for Simmo's corner. Whatever - Simmo took the penalty and a perfect one it had to be as the keeper went the right way but the ball was buried in the top corner.

Not surprisingly this resulted in loads of pressure on Dave's goal as a stung Tiverton tried to get back in the game. But while there was lots of activity in Dave's area - he was once again superbly shielded by his hard working defence and his one real test was a powerfully hit effort straight at him after Heggers had given away possession. As Tiverton pressed they gave United opportunities to add to their lead - and it was another fine save that denied Ellis on 69 minutes. A hard hit rising effort - the keeper had to be on good form to tip it over. A great run from Yatesie out of defence saw his long pass fall for Chris in space but he fired over the bar - you can be sure the Monster of 01/02 would've done a lot better.

Ellis was subbed for a deserved rest and Webby came on for the last 10 minutes and buzzed around in his usual way as the defence held out for a big win that takes them up to 5th - four points behind leaders Worcester. Tiverton will feel they should've gotten something from this game - but their own poor finishing was largely to blame and we have to concede the major refereeing decisions went our way. What we did to Tiverton was similar to what Folkestone did at The Pilot Field back in August.

Whatever - the 255 mile hike home went a lot quicker with three points in the bag and we were back in Hastings at 8.35. Well done boys - you all worked your bollocks off.

Tension probably came out the overall winner in what wasn't a bad game in front of the biggest Pilot Field gate since around 1100 were here for that Yeovil FA Cup tie back in 98/99. What was good about this United performance, though, was that they'll hopefully have done enough to get a few more up Elphinstone Road and in through those turnstiles to see the U's on a consistent basis.

This was to be a very evenly matched 90 minutes with Kettering not really showing they came from a higher division till the last 20 minutes or so. United were three players short of what George Wakeling would like to have fielded - still no Stuart Playford and Stuart Myall while Duncan McArthur, having to miss such a big match through suspension, might just have learnt something. Macca, incidentally, will also have to sit out Tuesday's replay at Rockingham Road.

For much of the game you wouldn't have thought there was a division between these two sides. Accepted - Kettering are having a dire time of it in the Conference which they currently prop up - but given that our squad for this match was three players light of what George won last season's DM Eastern Division with - then that has to be a sign of how far the team's come.

United it was who made early inroads to the Kettering defence. A nice link up between Simmo (great 90 minutes - Man of the Match) and Ellis Remy resulted in a throw in which saw Landry's turn and shot - well over but a good move leading up to the half chance all the same. Kettering were to offer very little in the opening 45 with their biggest threat coming from Rudds being robbed and the cross that followed was awkward to deal with. Their 9 was a handful with much of their good work coming from their 8 who had to be watched all afternoon. A good little player that Shaun Murray.

As for exciting stuff - two instances of that - both from United. Simmo released Yatesie down the right and Steve's well struck diagonal cross flew across the goalmouth with Ellis not quite able to get on the end of it. Ellis had a good game and there is no doubt that those goals prior to his hamstring injury have done his confidence the world of good. He was close to breaking clear down the middle on 26 minutes and it took a foul to prevent him going on into the box. Simmo's free kick was hit straight at the keeper. The second bit of magic involved Simmo again. He sold a perfect dummy and swung in a cross that Landry headed just wide of the Kettering post - and that was to be the closest to a goal in that first period.

The second half saw Kettering up the pace with Murray firing wide after a cross from Murphy, that big 9. But United were still very much in the game and on 50 minutes Landry saw a well hit effort fly over the crossbar. A good pass from Rudds - with a helpful deflection thrown in - sent Yatesie scampering down the right wing and his cross/shot wasn't far off target. Landry broke away on 56 minutes and saw a hard hit effort cleared by the Kettering 4 and a couple of minutes later, a great combination between Ellis and Simmo set up Nick Hegley who was closed down at the last minute - his shot lacked power as a result.

After 65 minutes, Graham Webb replaced Chris Honey who had had yet another ineffectual afternoon. I feel desperately for our Monster for who things have gone wretchedly this season. A goal or two would probably make all the difference - as they have for Ellis - but despite having looked in recent weeks as if he might be getting there at last, things have just reverted back to as they were and he didn't seem to be able to do anything right. The cheers as he was replaced must have rung in his ears - and that was before Webbie's name was announced.

Kettering turned it up for the last 20 minutes or so - and their supporters will probably feel that bad finishing is the only reason they didn't wrap things up without the banana skin of Tuesday's replay to come. Murphy - the 9 - had a couple of good chances - one he sliced wide and the other - a good effort - saw a volley just over King Dave's bar on 69 minutes. Murray put in a teasing cross that Nick Hegley had to put out for a corner while the Kettering 11 blasted over after turning well on the edge of the box. At the other end, Webbie's determination saw him set up Simmo who put in a cross that Ellis headed straight at the keeper.

With the game destined for a replay - the Kettering 11 must've thought he'd won the match in the 89th minute when he fired in a low hard effort through a forest of legs - and how Dave got down to his left and pushed it out for a corner, who can tell. Superb goalkeeping and the 11's reaction - head in hands - said it all.

So, 0-0 it finished which was a fair result. Kettering will be favourites on their ground in front of another big four figure gate - but the U's did enough this afternoon to show they're capable of getting a good result at Rockingham Road. And like it says earlier - let's hope they've done enough to convince those once in a blue mooners that there is plenty of decent football to be seen at The Pilot Field.

Yep - according to Doug Palmer, one of the old U's supporters now in exile in Northamptonshire and a Rushden follower, "Jump up if you love Hastings" was ringing out at Nene Park at half time in their Nationwide Div 3 game against Boston, as the news of our half time lead was announced. And you can be sure there was some pretty unrestrained air punching at Three Bridges Signalling Centre where Brighton Main Line trains came a poor second when one of my colleagues told me he'd heard the half time score on Five Live.

I couldn't make this one - first bloody game I'd missed this season and a chance to get a bit closer to the 100 grounds following Town and United. I had the car radio tuned into Talk Sport who said they'd give out the FA Cup half times but at 8.45 I was still waiting - then Trev told me it was 2-0! When Mark Westbrooke phoned with the news it was 5-0 not very long after he'd told me it was backs to the wall stuff - it was drop that jaw time. Talk about gobsmacked. A combination of Phil Donaldson's match notes and Stuart Myall filming the game for me meant I was able to sit back and savour it on the Wednesday after a couple of hours shut eye.

George reshuffled things after Saturday's 0-0 draw. Chris Honey dropped to the bench, no Paul Ruddy who was out for reasons unknown - so in came James Body and, surprise, surprise - Stuart Playford - just three weeks after parting company with his appendix. The front combination was to be Landry and Ellis.

As everyone knows - Kettering are in desperate straits on and off the pitch - but United would've been expecting a tough game against Conference opposition on their own patch on a wet drizzly evening. And Kettering might've taken an early crucial lead - the ball headed on for their 9 who put his effort wide on 3 minutes. United were to weather the early pressure and it was soon apparent the Zahana-Oni / Remy combination was going to cause problems with Ellis firing wide after being put clear and Tony Burt who went close with an overhead kick. The home crowd were soon getting restless and shouts of "Rubbish" could be heard early on.

1-0 on 22 minutes when Stuart Playford, who had no right to be on the bench let alone out there in the thick of it, got on the end of a Simmo free kick with a looping header.

King Dave was to have a busy night despite the final scoreline with his best work reserved for the second half. He still had things to do in the opening 45 and had to get down sharpish after a pass cut across the area. He also had to be quick off his line to smother another effort and on 38 minutes was well placed to deal with a hard hit rising effort. By then, though, the U's were 2-0 up thanks to Nick Hegley's inch perfect pass which Ellis slid onto the end of to guide the ball home to the delight of the damp United contingent behind the goal.

The second half - predictably - started off with Kettering piling on the pressure. Dave, though, on this occasion was backed up by the U's supporters who had come across the delights of segregation which applies at Conference grounds and, consequently, were unable to change ends at the interval. The Kettering 11 who'd so nearly won the game on the Saturday when Dave pulled off that brilliant save went close just after the 5 had headed a corner narrowly over the bar - this time the 11 was denied by a post. Another long range shot was deflected out for a corner - but then the U's on a rare outing upfield - showed they could be as dangerous when Yatesie, set free by Ellis's through ball - was denied by a good blocking save. Landry was then denied by a last ditch tackle as he looked set to break into the area.

After that it was more end to end with incidents in each box. After Ellis had fired just wide from outside the box (how his confidence has come on since he's started getting goals) - Dave pulled off an outstanding one handed save from James Body who's attempted header clear lacked direction. United broke clear and really should have capitalised on a two on one situation just outside the area but too much time was required and the ball was booted clear. Not that it mattered - 70 minutes on the clock, Yatesie fed Landry - part of a nicely worked corner routine - who's left footed shot did the rest - United 3-0 up and nearly there.

Kettering had to chuck everything into attack and predictably left space for United to exploit - and that's how number 4 was scored. Simmo broke clear down the right and his pass found an unmarked Steve Yates who made no mistake. That really saw the home crowd getting on the backs of the Kettering side who's season was going from bad to worse. And it did get worse as United completed that burst of scoring with another one on 80 minutes when Landry broke away and curled one round the keeper from the edge of the area.

Still time for Dave to show what a class act he's become - another great one handed save on 82 minutes as Kettering tried to salvage something from the wreckage. Huge celebrations on and off the pitch at the final whistle - who would ever have thought something like this could happen. That's football I suppose. We're on a good run - and when things go well, then everything falls into place whereas for a side like Kettering who're having a shite season, when things go badly, then everything goes awry - and that was just what happened at Rockingham Road.

But take no credit away from our boys who were away from home, had to patch the side up even more, took on an outfit from the division above them - and beat them fair and square. Just wish I'd been there to see it. Roll on November 16th and a 1st Round appearance - what's that, first time in 40 odd years? - at Stevenage Borough.