ANDRE Kelly netted Bracknell’s equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Alton Town in their FA Vase second qualifying round tie on Saturday, writes Dave Wright.

The Robins, who had been involved in a tough match at Oxford City Nomads last Wednesday when they lost 2-0, were not at their best, but still showed great character to force a replay.

They recovered well after conceding a goal with just two minutes gone with Luke Perkins cutting in before unleashing a tremendous shot past keeper Garry Aulsberry into the far corner.

But after that, the Bracknell defence gave little away against their Wessex League hosts.

The nearest the Robins came to equalising before half-time was when Kelly headed wide from Ebenezer Opoku-Ware’s corner.

Keith Pennicott-Bowen’s men improved in the second half and deservedly drew level just after the hour mark.

Substitute Elliott Garrington’s free-kick was flicked on by Opoku-Ware and finished from close range by centre-back Kelly.

Shane Cooper-Clark was not far away with a free kick, while, at the other end, Aulsberry comfortably saved a shot from Jonny Denham.

Neither side created many chances in the extra 30 minutes, but Robins went the closest.

Cooper-Clark’s free kick beat the wall, but not home keeper Munoda Nyamunga and then the Bracknell ace saw his cross headed wide by Ryan Coupland.

The replay was scheduled for last night (Tuesday).

The Robins, who remain second bottom of the Premier Division, make the long trip to Gloucestershire to play Brimscombe & Thrupp this Saturday (3pm).

Then next Tuesday, 7.45pm kick-off, they entertain Highmoor Ibis in the second round of the Hellenic Floodlit Cup.

l BRACKNELL Town Ladies secured a 2-1 home victory against Woodley United in the Southern Region Women's Football League on Sunday.

United had the better of the opening half but Rosie Page-Smith, Louise Thompson and Jo Walsh-Perks were all denied by Robins keeper Jo Anderson, who was in inspired form.

Bracknell hit back after the break and, after United’s Kate Hardie had cleared off the line, they broke the deadlock through Laura Wallman in the 71st minute.

Sam Tan headed Town’s second from an 85th minute corner before Thompson pulled one back in the closing stages and Page-Smith fired into the side netting as United pushed for an equaliser.