Despite United playing for over an hour with ten men, it will be the visitors who will be grateful to earn a replay as United took the game to the R's in the second half only to be kept at bay by a top class performance from the visitors 'keeper James Bradbrook as the tie ended goalless at the SKYex.
A couple of early half chances came United's way with Toby Little and Ed Asafu-Adjaye combining to set up a shooting chance for skipper Scott Donnelly, his effort curling wide of the target. This was quickly followed by a ball over the Brightlingsea defence to Lee Barney who ran to the edge of the box and hit a low drive that was held by Bradbrook.
Then on 27 minutes an aerial challenge by Duncan Culley saw referee Lisa Nunn call the United man over for a lengthy talk before brandishing a red card, seemingly for a raised elbow and Paul Hughes side were down to 10 men.
A couple of minutes later with United still re-grouping, a quick dash into the box fell to Jake Clowsley at the far post but his effort went wide under pressure from Jack Smith in the United goal.
Soon after Josh Chamberlain exchanged passes with Donnelly before firing wide from distance and then with six minutes left to the break Barney collected the ball on the edge of the box, his low drive being pushed away by Bradbrook for a corner. The resultant kick failed to trouble the visitors who broke quickly upfield to earn a corner of their own. This kick picking out an unmarked Josh Gould in the middle but he headed wide and the half closed out goalless.
Paul Hughes made a tactical change at the break with Hassan Jalloh replacing Toby Little as the 10 men re-shaped and almost took the lead within a minute as Donnelly found Barney on the left edge of the box, the United top scorer edging past two defenders before going just the wrong side of the upright.
The next opening fell the way of the visitors when Billy Hunt collected the ball on the left side of the United box, firing across Smith but wide of the far post.
Despite being a man down, United started to really take the game to the visitors. A safu-Adjaye combined with Chamberlain before shooting wide from 20 yards and then just after the hour mark two mazy runs in a minute by Jalloh saw him firstly create an opening for Barney that Bradbrook did well to turn away and then he won the ball and ran at the defence, unleashing a shot of his own that again the R's stopper did well to push away to safety.
Within a minute a Smith was required at the other end, the United 'keeper parrying a Hunt shot before grasping the loose ball.
The final three real openings also fell to the ten men. Donnelly neatly pulled a free-kick direct to the oncoming Asafu-Adjaye who saw his goal bound effort deflect inches wide of the upright and this was quickly followed by another Jalloh forwards run that set up fellow substitute Lewis Toomey but his shot was wide of the target.
Bradbrook sadly saved his best for last, the visiting stopper going full length in stoppage time after Donnelly had pounced on a loose ball before letting fly from 20 yards, his effort heading for the top corner but for a superb fingertip save and off to Essex on Tuesday we must go for a replay.
Report by Kevin Watts.
Photos by Ray Peploe.
United Man of the Match: Ed Asafu-Adjaye.
Print the Teamsheet: Here.
