AFC Sudbury failed to avenge their Bank Holiday league defeat against visiting Mildenhall, drawing 1-1 in their FA Cup Qualifying Round tie, to set up a replay at Recreation Way on Tuesday.
Sudbury manager Jamie Godbold made five changes to his starting line up, following the 2-0 reverse a few days earlier, but significantly was without central defender Julian Smith whilst the visitors’ manager Dean Greygoose made a couple changes.
It proved a game of few chances and indeed neither keeper was seriously troubled in a disappointing opening 45 minutes.
The home side had plenty of the ball and Adam Mills carried a potential threat down the left.
Louis Blake won a header in the box that fell to Rhys Henry who scuffed his shot wide, whilst at the other end Dan Brown tested Paul Walker who comfortably saved.
The first productive home effort emanated from a return pass from Dave Cowley that resulted in a decent shot from Jeremiah Kamanzi who fired over.
The second-half improved and Jack Newman flashed a free kick just wide and Blake headed just over.
However, the home supporters amongst the 239 spectators found their voices when the hosts went in front in the 51st minute.
A quality move started from a deep position down the left and Henry laid the ball back into the path of Jake Turner whose first-time shot beat Roach inside his far post.
Mildenhall equalised in the 69th minute when the home side lost possession all too cheaply deep in the visitors’ half.
Mildenhall broke quickly on the left and Craig Calver released a fine ball to Jake Chambers-Shaw who, after cutting inside, sent an excellent angled strike across Walker inside the post.
In the closing moments Calver produced a fine shot but Walker diving to his right pushed clear to ensure that both these evenly matched sides will be in the hat for today’s draw.
Sudbury manager Jamie Godbold, said: “After a good pre-season I am disappointed that we are not clinical in the final third.
“This is virtually a new side and very much work in progress.”
Mildenhall boss Dean Greygoose also with a new squad commented: “This is a new venture for us.”
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