Wembley 1 Royston Town 1 LUKE Robins helped Royston Town book an FA Cup extra preliminary round replay in this battle at Vale Farm. The Crows were dealt an injury blow before the match even began, with star striker Craig Hammond twisting his ankle in the

Wembley 1 Royston Town 1

LUKE Robins helped Royston Town book an FA Cup extra preliminary round replay in this battle at Vale Farm.

The Crows were dealt an injury blow before the match even began, with star striker Craig Hammond twisting his ankle in the warm-up.

In front of the watching FA chief executive Brian Barwick, Royston started the match positively but, despite enjoying plenty of possession, found chances difficult to come by.

Ricky Young was involved heavily, winning a succession of corners down the right hand side but, unfortunately for him, the Crows could not capitalise.

But then after 35 minutes, Allan Reid was felled on the edge of the penalty area following a mazy run through the middle of the park.

And after picking himself up, Robins stroked home the resulting free-kick to give Royston a well-deserved half-time lead.

But Royston started the second-half poorly and conceded an equaliser after 53 minutes, Shane Sinclair tapping in from close range.

Conceding the goal seemed to dent Royston's confidence, and so manager Paul Attfield decided to shuffle his pack, replacing Will Turl, Ryan Lockett and Tom Galvin with Josh Bronti, Greg Jackson and Conor De Lacy.

The changes galvanised Royston who started to create more chances, with Josh Bronti in particular causing Wembley problems down the right wing.

Captain Allan Reid went close with a header after 71 minutes, and Robins nearly scored direct from an in-swinging corner, before Carl Edwards scuffed a late shot wide.

Then, after 89 minutes, Wembley defender Andrew Walker was dismissed for a second bookable offence, but Royston were unable to find a winner.

After the match, Paul Attfield said: "I thought we controlled the majority of the first half and I think we deserved our lead although we didn't create that many chances.

"I thought our fitness levels told in the last fifteen minutes but overall I am disappointed that we didn't win the game.