Having come within 15 minutes of knocking out their higher league opponents on Saturday, Shildon AFC fell to a comprehensive 4-0 defeat to Warrington Town in Tuesday evening’s FA Cup replay.

The Railwaymen welcomed the Northern Premier League Premier Division side to Dean Street, where they secured a 2-2 draw in the FA Cup first round qualifying this Saturday, writes volunteer community reporter Rhys Toomey.

The Yellows’ may have expected a comfortable day, and it certainly looked so when the visitors were awarded a penalty in the 19th minute, after Zayn Sadiq was taken down in the area.

However, Andrew Jennsion was equal to the task, saving Reece Daly’s effort.

However, Daly redeemed himself ten minutes later when he converted his side’s second spot-kick award of the afternoon to take the lead just before the half hour.

But despite going a goal behind against a higher-level team, Shildon kept up their fighting spirit, supported by the 278 fans in the stands and in the 41st minute, Shildon’s own Billy Greulich-Smith levelled the score, heading past goalkeeper Mateusz Hewelt.

On returning to the field, the Railwaymen steamed ahead in the 54th minute, taking the lead though captain Jon Weirs who drove the ball home shortly after Joe Posthill’s free kick.

With Shildon in the lead and confidence rising, they were able to hold their ground until Town’s fresh-off-the-bench substitute David Morgan placed the ball past Jennison from the left-hand side, levelling the score in the 76th minute.

With neither side able to find the winner, the tie headed to a midweek replay, and Saturday proved as close as Shildon would get to a cup upset.

Within six minutes, Warrington were two up through Josh Doherty (4) and Jack Goodwin (6) and although Shildon were able to hold out for the next hour, a further two goals in the final fifteen minutes though Goodwin (77) and Ruben Denton (88) ensured there would be no sensation.

This weekend, Shildon remain on FA cup duty as they head to Garstang in the FA Vase and are scheduled to play Horden in the league the following midweek, barring any Vase replay.