A 101ST-MINUTE equaliser denied Witham Town an FA Cup second qualifying round victory at Haringey Borough that their performance deserved in a controversial finish at Coles Park, writes JIM PURTILL.

An 88th-minute goal from Josh Osude looked almost certain to have secured Town’s place in the next round but play continued for an unfathomable 13 minutes.

Haringey’s equaliser hit the back of Witham’s net just before the final whistle sounded.

It was scant reward for Witham, who played on the front foot and looked the better side for almost the whole of the match.

It was an even first half, with few chances to threaten either goal.

Witham began to show their quality as the early minutes elapsed and they established a fluid pattern of play.

It took half an hour before a significant attack was mounted by either side.

A good shot by Liam Whipps was saved by Haringey goalkeeper Michael Acquah in the 31st minute, while Andrew Sesay brought out another save from Acquah shortly afterwards.

It was clear that the match would be a close contest.

Both defences repelled attacking moves but Witham carried the greater threat.

(Image: NIGEL HAKES)

They built attacks from the midfield where the industrious Callum Fitzer and Isaac Skubich brought Osude, Kamani McFarlane and Sesay into the match.

In contrast to their fluid team play, Haringey made sporadic individual raids that rarely looked likely to trouble the visitors. Ryan Dear was outstanding for Witham, on his return after injury.

Haringey spurned chances to open the scoring in the 38th minute.

Their veteran striker Derek Asamoah’s dangerous run was curtailed by Witham goalkeeper Harry Fairs.

Two further shots were blocked by Witham defenders and the danger was cleared.

The match was far more open in the second half, where more chances were created but there was a lack of good finishing.

Witham continued to take the match to the opposition and they attacked with more frequency.

(Image: NIGEL HAKES)

Anton Matthews almost connected with a Witham corner, minutes after the restart.

Neither side were firing on all cylinders but the visitors mounted the best attacks.

Osude was the man who looked most likely to score for Witham.

He shot into the site netting on the left and had a shot saved by Acquah.

In the 86th minute, Fairs saved from Asamoah and Dear blocked his further attempt to score.

Osude broke the deadlock when he put Witham ahead with a finish from a narrow angle on the left.

Haringey attacked with renewed vigour and six minutes were added to the 45 minutes of the second half. An additional five minutes were mysteriously added to the six. In the final action of the match, Haringey left-back Alaa Oujdi scored from a free-kick to force a replay at the Simarco Stadium.