Apart from the final moments this was a game that did non-league football and the FA Cup proud. Both sides gave their all with Ware ultimately gaining a passage to the first qualifying round thanks to a late goal from centre back and man of the match Dave Kendall. One of Ware’s senior players, he seemed to have covered all areas of the pitch before meeting a corner to head the ball down and past keeper Anthony Page to find the net.

Ware had looked the most likely to score during a second half in which Hashtag seemed to have lost some of their sharpness and speed. But it hadn’t always been like that and at the start of the game United were quick to close Ware down and open up chances, especially with Jesse Waller-Lassens’ mesmerising ability on and off the ball. Some incisive football from the visitors might have brought a goal or two in this period if not for some wayward shooting and last ditch defending.

Yet it was an even first half in which Ware gave as good as they got. Robbie Buchanan cut gaps through the Hashtag defence whilst Albert Adu took control of matters behind him and a hard working Liam Dulson.

Hashtag did have the ball in Ware’s net from an exquisite piece of play that saw George Smith volley the ball home from Bradley Marriott’s cross. The only drawback was the assistant’s flag indicating that Smith was offside.

Ware began to have the edge in the second half with Hashtag starting to rely on long balls forward and long range shots, one of which from Kris Newby, was narrowly wide. But the defence held firm allowing Ware to work the ball forward down the sides to look for openings in the penalty area.

As early as the second minute after half time it was their turn to put the ball in the net but Albert Adu’s back heel was ruled out as Reece Crowter had just failed to keep the ball in play in the build-up.

By the hour mark Ware had the upper hand with their attacks bearing more menace than those of the visitors. Even so they couldn’t seem to make the break through and it began to look as though the tie would go to a replay until ten minutes from the end of normal time.

With Tom Bruno sitting on the substitutes’ bench a corner on the right was taken by Buchanan. Kendall was waiting as it dropped towards the far edge of the six yard area and got his header away and into the net to cue celebrations from his colleagues.

Hashtag raised their game in search of an equaliser after that and things got a little heated in added time. Robinson earned himself a yellow card with a needless push before Newby was red carded for head butting, and not for the first time at Wodson Park it has to be said.

But Ware held on and can await the draw for the next round with confidence. Despite missing the injured Chris Arthur and Dan Rumens, both of whom were no more than nominal entries as substitutes for this game, and the unavailable Liam Hope, this was the best team performance in the four matches played so far. The missing men may have to up their game to win their places back which is no doubt just the kind of competition that Paul Halsey wants.

Ware: Brad Robinson, Marcus Milner, Pat Adamson, Leigh Rose, Louis Rose, Dave Kendall, Robbie Buchanan, James Mulley, Liam Dulson, Albert Adu, Reece Crowter (Tom Bruno 84mins). Unused subs: Jordan Westcott, Rechan Esprit, Michael Bardle, Dan Rumens, Chris Arthur, Ethan Gannon.