Stourbridge 0 Hucknall 0

As our Road to Wembley progresses, it has become noticeable that the ties have become tighter and the goals are starting to dry up.

But with the thought of only being two wins away from a possible clash with a Leeds or a Charlton, maybe that was to be expected.

This one was always going to be close. Stourbridge were unbeaten in eight and Hucknall had won seven of their last eight. But the Glassboys may rue the fact they missed this opportunity to get the tie done and dusted on Saturday.

Stourbridge had the chances, but were denied by wasteful finishing and a fine display by Town keeper Daniel Haystead.

Manager Gary Hackett said: "We didn't play as well as we could have but we had the better clear-cut chances and you have to take these chances.

"It wasn't quite our day but we live to fight another day."

There was a moment when a beautiful through ball to a striker was smashed past the keeper. Unfortunately, that was in the game being played by children on the adjacent cricket pitch.

The home fans showed they are gaining FA Cup fever – the crowd of 384 was the highest this season at the War Memorial. They should have seen their side take the lead twice in the opening 16 minutes.

Within the first 120 seconds, the impressive Sean Evans played Linden Dovey through but the striker scuffed his shot wide.

Then on 16 minutes Nathan Bennett met Drew Canavan's corner, but planted his header just past the post when he should have at least hit the target.

It was 38 minutes before the Nottinghamshire side looked a threat and even then Tyeisse Nightingale's volley on the turn trickled harmlessly wide. But the hosts went straight to the other end and Evans was again the creator, slipping in Canavan but his shot was blocked by the legs of Haystead.

The goalkeeper's legs rescued his side again two minutes later, when he raced off his line to deny Ryan Rowe after the striker had been played in by Canavan. The visitors improved after the break but it was the Glassboys who again went close after 52 minutes.

Canavan and Rowe combined to set up Dovey and his fierce rising drive was superbly tipped over by Haystead.

Four minutes later we got the first sounds from the trumpeter, a Hucknall fan standing behind the goal and occasionally accompanied by a drummer. If it was intended to inspire his side it seemed to wor,k as Town started to look more threatening.

Their best moment came on 63 minutes after Laurie Wilson side-stepped a challenge and chipped Stuart Brock from 20 yards but saw his effort come back off the bar. Deon Meikle drilled the ball back in but it bounced off Nightingale and to safety.

Two minutes from time the visitors had Luke Shiels dismissed for a second booking and that brought a late onslaught from the Glassboys.

Ryan Mahon, who had earlier blocked a shot right where it hurts most, had an effort tipped over and Canavan skied a shot high and not very handsome. As another chance went begging, the trumpeter played on, belting out the tune to Match of the Day.

It certainly wasn't that, but maybe tomorrow's replay will be.

By Steve Box

Stourbridge: Brock, Dovey (Rock 68, Drake 79), Cowley, Smith, Canavan, Bennett, Slater, Dyson, Rowe, Mahon, Evans. Subs not used: Broadhurst, Billingham, Collins, Henderson.

Hucknall: Haystead, Smith, Sucharewycz (Hawkridge 64), Walters, Shiels, McCormick, Wiggins-Thomas (Kelly 51), Wilson, Nightingale, Whittington (Bonnick 69), Meikle.

Subs not used: Frost, Liburd, Spriggs, Hawes.

Referee: D Meeson (Newcastle-under-Lyme)

Attendance: 384