FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round Replay
Bishop Auckland 1 : Skelmersdale United 2
28 September, 2005
Team: Norton, Gowland, Irvine, Craig Robson (Coghlan 51mins), Hall, Coulthard, Damon Robson, Salvin, Sheeran, I'Anson, Newby
Skelmersdale stumbled past Bishops on a desparate night for Bishop Auckland at the Brewery Field. Bishops were the first to press on a wet and breezy night. Newby fired in a shot on six minutes which was just tipped over the bar.
But it was Skelmersdale who produced the good football in the first half and they took the lead on 19 minutes when Rudd shot home at the third attempt after Norton had made a fine save.
2nd Half: Worried looks as I'Anson crosses - Picture (c) FILMAR Photography
Craig Robson deflected a Skem shot wide on 24 minutes and on 27 minutes Bishops were lucky to stay just one down when Coulthard cleared off the line with Norton beaten.
Bishops put some pressure on just after the half hour, but only managed to pick up a yellow card for Sheeran who voiced his displeasure at a refereeing decision a little too loudly.
2nd Half: Irvine drives down the wing - Picture (c) FILMAR Photography
Bishops conceded a second on 42 minutes when Rudd headed into the rutted Brewery Field turf and Norton was caught out by the unexpected bounce and fumbled the ball into the net.
On 64 minutes Skelmersdale had a goal disallowed for offside, and on 70 minutes Coulthard's back header was too short and Bishops were lucky to survive when a weak shot was cleared off the line again.
Sheeran fired Bishops back into the game on 72 minutes when a loose ball in the box was fired home into the far corner of the net. Skelmersdale players went berzerk in their protest for offside, despite their last defender being stood some ten yards forward of the Bishops striker. After much delay a yellow card was administered and the game was allowed to restart.
The equaliser should have come on 79 minutes when I'Anson looped a cross to Sheeran who found space in the box, but headed wide of the target.
Skelmersdale missed a chance to end the game on 87 minutes when a low cross was blasted over the bar.
2nd Half: Sheeran misses the final chance - Picture (c) FILMAR Photography
Sheeran had another chance to take the game into extra time when two Skem defenders sliced the ball to him twelve yards from goal but his low shot was comfortably saved by the 'keeper.
2nd Half: Looks of disbelief - Picture (c) FILMAR Photography