Carterton Tn 1, Thame Utd 1

High-flying Rymans League Division 1 side Thame United are still in the FA Cup by the skin of their teeth thanks to skipper Martin Brown.

Carterton Town, from the Hellenic League, looked like recording a shock victory in Saturday's preliminary round tie until Brown popped up to level the scores ten minutes from time.

In one of their best displays for a long time, Carterton took the lead after 27 minutes when James Mortimer Jones opened the scoring from a pinpoint pass from Craig Dore.

Home keeper Jake Eggby was in inspired form and kept his side in the game with a succession of top class saves to frustrate Mark West, John Mitchell and Nando Perna.

Thame continued to press, but the Carterton defence, well marshalled by the veteran Andy Leach, were in no mood to surrender.

Jason Cook had a great opportunity to seal the game for home side, but shot wide when well-placed.

Carterton, who were without Kevin Lewis, Paul Sherwood, Terry Merriman, Tom Smith and Pete Lehay through injury, looked like hanging on.

But with time running out, Thame at last found the net in the 80th minute.

Good work by West ended with a cross which picked out Brown, whose powerful header at last beat the defiant Eggby to earn United another chance at Windmill Stadium tomorrow.