by Matthew Panting

Battling Thamesmead earned a deserved FA Trophy replay with Welling thanks to Theo Fairweather-Johnson's injury-time equaliser on Saturday.

Welling appeared to have booked their place in the next round but Fairweather-Johnson's long-range shot proved too good for keeper Dan Thomas.

A difficult pitch proved a great leveller as Thamesmead, who ply their trade two levels below Blue Square Bet South Welling, ruffled the feathers of their illustrious opponents. Midfield pair Scot Mulholland and Lea Dawson were particularly effective while Bradley Killick and Fairweather-Johnson posed plenty of questions out wide.

Welling, who left out Joe Healy, Anthony Acheampong and leading scorer Andy Pugh, played their football in the wrong areas and struggled to create many chances.

Player-manager Jamie Day curled an early free-kick wide but they had their only shot on target in the first half when Loick Pires' effort was beaten away by keeper Sam Mott.

Thamesmead took the lead within 30 seconds of the second half when Fairweather-Thomas was clearly onside, despite Welling's protests, and he confidently slotted home despite Thomas getting a hand to hit low shot.

Welling were heading out until Pugh was summoned from the bench and within four minutes he drew his team level, starting and finishing a move, firing in from 25 yards with Mott deceived by his rasping drive.

Moments after Mead skipper Lewis Tozer headed over a near-post corner, the visitors went ahead with 18 minutes left when Luis Cumbers headed down a left-wing cross and Day was fouled in the box as he shaped to shoot. Lee Clarke's spot-kick was saved by Mott but Clarke's spectacularly scored from the rebound with an overhead kick.

Pires wasted two good openings to wrap the tie up and he was made to pay when Thamesmead threw another man up front and it paid off in stoppage time as Fairweather-Johnson fired in the equaliser.

The replay is at Park View Road on Tuesday night, kick-off 7.45pm.

Bromley were surprisingly beaten 3-1 by Southern League side Didcot Town in their FA Trophy third qualifying round tie.

Alex Stanley put the visitors ahead after 18 minutes with a well-struck volley from Kevin Halliday's corner, but Bromley were back in it when they won a penalty seven minutes later.

Hakeem Araba was fouled by Didcot keeper Dean Santangelo, and Danny Waldren stepped up to convert from the spot. But, Didcot reclaimed the lead just before half-time when a dipping volley from Uche Ikpeazu flew past Tommy Forecast.

The visitors secured their place in the first round on the hour mark when Richard Pierson headed home to make it 3-1.