Hemel Hempstead Town 0 Ware 1

Who would have forecast this after ten minutes of the first match between these sides on Saturday. 2-0 down and struggling to contain their opponents Ware were in deep trouble. But such is the magic of football that things are never over till they're over.

Liam Dulson's 93rd minute goal on Saturday gave Ware a life line, the fat lady returned to her dressing room without exercising her vocal chords and Paul Halsey set about planning for the replay.

Marcus Milner was unavailable for this game which meant that the versatile Chris Arthur was drafted in at right back whilst Rechan Esprit was rested allowing Reece Crowter to make only his second start of the season. His previous one? In the 1-0 FA Cup win over Hashtag United. A pattern might be emerging here.

Crowter was placed wide on the left giving the opportunity for Taufee Skandari to play more of a central midfield role. If the idea was to give their opponents a different formation to the one they were expecting it had its merits. Hemel had plenty of the ball but were well managed by the Ware defence with Brad Robinson being largely untroubled apart from Ky Marsh-Brown's 68th minute effort which came off a post.

By then Ware had scored what proved to be the only goal of the game. Apparent lack of communication in the home defence led to them conceding an unnecessary corner. Chris Arthur sent it over and as the ball came back from a clutch of players Liam Hope was on hand to fire it home from just within the six yard area.

Ware were unable to add to their score and in the dying minutes Hemel came at them looking for an equaliser. This was, after all, just the kind of cup tie that would produce another last minute goal. But Ware held firm and progress to that rematch with Kidderminster. The fat lady might have sung but if so she was drowned out by the visiting support.

Ware will appreciate the seven day break before the next league game at home to Harlow as there are clearly injuries that need resting. Hemel meanwhile will, whether they like the cliche or not, be free to sort out their current league form under new manager Mark Jones.

Ware: Brad Robinson, Chris Arthur, Pat Adamson, Leigh Rose, Louis Rose, Dave Kendall, Robbie Buchanan, Liam hope (Liam Dulson 88mins), Taufee Skandari (Albert Adu 66mins), Reece Crowter. Unused subs: Ethan Gannon, Tom Bruno, Rechan Esprit, Dan Rumens.