Goals in stunner at the Riverside
Stocksbridge Park Steels outfit in a replay so with a narrow one goal lead against a team down to ten men hopes were high that that particular statistic could be consigned to the history books.
The start of the second period began with the Rams on the front foot with two early efforts which didn’t seriously test Rigby in the Winsford goal but the away side served notice of their intention to test the hosts defence when a swift counter attack saw Cottrell cross for an unmarked Short but the strikers first time effort sailed over the crossbar much the relief of the home faithful.
Ramsbottom United then set about trying to find a fourth goal that may have edged the tie their way when an acrobatic clearance denied the hosts via a looping header before an incisive run and shot from the impressive Iyrwah Gooden crashed into the crossbar with Rigby helpless.
The home side then utilised their substitutes bench midway through the second period with Eddie Moran making a welcome return to the side alongside Khalil Osi-Efa and Will Ozono looking to add fresh legs to ensure the home side progressed to the next round of the competition.
Despite the visitors being a player down the Rams were finding it difficult to keep control of possession as they toiled to create a clear cut chance and this appeared to give Winsford hope as they continued to pose a threat on the counter attack and in truth caused the hosts more problems in attack than Widnes did whilst in a similar position some seven days earlier.
Then, with just less than a quarter of an hour remaining the sixth and final goal of an enthralling encounter arrived when an attack down the left hand side lead to a deep cross being sent into the home box before finding its way to substitute Samuel Marshall at the far post who became the Winsford hero by confidently firing past Stewart to equalise for a third time in the match.
As the final minutes slipped away the hosts toiled to create the opportunity that could lead to a late winner but credit must go to Winsford who defended doggedly repelling numerous and increasingly desperate crosses and indeed could and maybe should have won the contest with only minutes remaining when another lighting fast breakaway split open the Rams defence before the final pass found a well placed Winsford forward but the attempt sailed over the cross bar.
Despite an enthralling contest for the neutral supporter both sides will reconvene in Cheshire on Monday 2nd September looking to progress to the First Qualifying Round.