The lights went out on Shepton's FA Cup interest before the end of their replay at Saltash, the tie ultimately decided by a single Sam Hughes 13th minute goal. That said Shepton had more than their share of the play and missed a couple of gilt edged chances to keep the tie alive, especially in the second period.
Lewis Russell put a glancing header wide for Saltash early on before Liam Watson did likewise for Shepton, and then James Alexander was fortunate to only see a yellow card and not a red for the home side, after a two footed challenge on Shepton's Dave Stone. Within a minute, Hughes beat Nick Hudson to a 50;50 ball and then side footed home past Steve Phillips into the corner to put his side in front. After Alexander blazed a shot too high and Aaron Cusack brought a decent save from Phillips, Shepton started to get on top, with Dave Stone giving the home defence all kinds of trouble with his pacy runs. One such run led to James Billing going close, but in the 34th minute the floodlights failed, and stayed off for 44 minutes almost leading to the game being abandoned. When the game eventually restarted, Stone took up where he left off with more strong runs that looked likely to bring an equalising goal. Having gone close either side of the stoppage and the shortened half time break, Stone worked well with Joe Morgan after an hour to set up a great headed chance for Billing who unfortunately put the ball wide of the target from eight yards. Watson, Morgan and Ryan Mitchell all missed half chances, and although Hughes brought a great save from Phillips with 10 minutes to go, Shepton were knocking loudly at the door to take the tie into extra time. Saltash still made occasional penetrating breaks that necessitated ongoing vigilence from the Shepton defence, who did well to keep the home attack out and thus keep the tie alive to the final whistle.With 7 minutes to go, Billing was presented with another excellent headed chance thanks to a fine cross from Dave Thorne, and again Billing beat the home defence and keeper Tom Blackler, only to look on in agony as the ball just cleared the bar and landed on the roof of the net. Sam Farrant missed a chance to make it two nil right at the end, which would have been a cruel scoreline on Shepton after their performances over the two matches.
Stoner was our pick, with Conrad Peck having his best game so far in midfield and Thorne again doing well against the busy Saltash wide man Matt Cusack. Another good team performance in another tight game, but as Joner said afterwards, now that the side is playing at a higher level chances become that bit more precious and need to be taken to get results.

Team

1. S.Phillips
2. D.Thorne
3.L.Davidson....cautioned
4. H.Paice
5. N.Hudson
6. L.Watson
7. C.Peck
8. R.Mitchell
9. J.Billing
10.D.Stone
11.A.Willmott

subs used
J.Morgan
D.Lock