FA Cup: Cockfosters 3 Tower Hamlets 3

Tower Hamlets will welcome Cockfosters to Mile End Stadium for an FA Cup replay on Bank Holiday Monday after snatching an injury-time equaliser at Chalk Lane.

Having romped to an impressive 5-1 win at Wivenhoe in the extra preliminary round two weeks earlier, Ade Abayomi’s young Tower Hamlets side took the lead on 25 minutes when Jerome Martelli found space to slot home.

And the visitors doubled their advantage seven minutes before half time when a quick break led to a cross from Omar Rowe that set up Martelli for his second goal of the afternoon.

The home side halved the deficit early in the second half when Shane Reid pounced on a loose ball to beat Sean Bazell.

And it was all square midway through the half when Jacob Kolona struck, before Hamlets were reduced to 10 men on 74 minutes.

Cockfosters took the lead moments later when Ricky Louch won a corner, which was headed on to Jack Grosvenor to find the net.

But Hamlets would not throw in the towel and in the second minute of stoppage time the ball was sent into the box and turned home by Aliu Ibrahim.

Abayomi’s men will hope to make home advantage count when the two teams meet again on Monday, with £1,925 in prize money and a trip to Thetford Town or Bury Town awaiting the winners in the first qualifying round.

*Essex Senior League rivals Newham fell to a 3-0 defeat against title favourites Bowers at the Len Salmon Stadium.

The home side took the lead when Michael Begg’s deep cross found Jack Gardner, who teed up Ash Wackers-Kyriacou to score.

And it was 2-0 when Vinny Durrant’s cross was controlled by Begg, who lobbed the ball over keeper Rob Hatton for Tom Hine to touch into the net.

Bowers sealed the points with their third goal in the second half, when Begg won possession and set up Scott Pethers to smash home.

Newham’s Akile Clarke tweeted: “Gutted with the result today. Nevertheless the @NewhamFC boys never gave up vs a well drilled and organized @Bowerspitseafc side. Good side!”

Newham: Hatton, Clarke, Taylor, Thomas, Adejokun, Nsamu, Churchouse, Pennant, Oshin, Sighiartau, Nduakulu. Subs: James, Kulbir, Coulson, Lewis, Darr.

*Sporting Bengal, Clapton and London Bari were without games at the weekend, but return to action in the FA Vase on September 5 with ties against Burnham, Codicote and Ipswich Wanderers respectively.