Faversham Town's involvement with this season's F.A.Cup competition continues following an epic battle against Ryman South side Merstham F.C. with Town emerging victorious following 120 minutes of football and 12 penalty kicks following the two sides 2 - 2 draw in Surrey at the weekend.
As in their first encounter the Ryman side were keen to stamp the authority on the match from the first whistle dominating the opening minutes with some neat passing play and were unlucky not to take the lead on 11 minutes, Jermaine McGlashen's well struck effort tipped over by Rob French in the Town goal.
Ten minutes later and French had transformed from hero to villain as he brought McGlashen inside the area picking up a yellow card in the process, John Hamsher duly converted the spot kick giving the visitors a deserved lead.
Town were back on level terms within minutes - a Dane Luchford corner from the right was met at the far post by the head of Lee Shearer whose powerful header gave Ian Chatfield no chance as it flew into the top left corner.
The Lilywhites' confidence grew as they edged their way back into the match and Buster Smissen went close on 32 minutes as he latched onto a through ball controlling it well only to see his effort fly narrowly wide of the goal.
Smissen made no mistake three minutes later picking up the ball unmarked on the edge of the box before rounding Chatfield to net his third goal of the season.
Five minutes into the second half and Faversham gave themselves the luxury of a two goal cushion - Smissen brought down inside the box, and Referee Spain having no hesitation in awarding the second penalty of the evening with Lee Shearer making no mistake to bag his second goal of the match.
Merstham reduced the deficit on the hour when Mu Maan's low shot took a slight deflection to deceive French and set up a tense finish for the 150 strong crowd at Salters Lane.
The home side had a good call for a penalty waved away as Smissen appeared to have been blatantly fouled inside the box only yards from the gaze of the referee and when Damian Abel's strike appeared to have crossed the goal line before being cleared the man in black, once again, ruled in favour of the visitors.
Jack Tanner and Smissen made way for Aaron Quain and Richard Sinden respectively on 69 minutes as end to end football ensued with both sides keen to attack at every opportunity.
With victory in sight the unthinkable happened as the game entered injury time - Merstham's Tristan Frontin finding the back of the Town net following a corner kick to send the tie into extra time.
The Lilywhites regained the advantage two minutes into extra time courtesy of a Richard Sinden strike but when Michael Gordon started the second period in a similar fashion for the visitors to make it 4 - 4 the lottery of penalties loomed nearer.
The hardworking Abel made way for Craig Thompson as Town battled to regain the advantage but, after 210 minutes of entertaining football it was the two keepers, French and Jack Smelt (on for the concussed Chatfield) who stepped up to take center stage.
The first eight spot kicks were all converted - Shearer, Dan Larkin, Dale Skelton and Dane Luchford all on target for Town and when Sinden stepped up to fire his effort against the crossbar it was advantage Merstham before French pulled off a fine save to keep the tie alive.
Aaron Quain duly converted Town's sixth to apply more pressure and when Merstham's effort flew wide of the mark sparking celebrations all round from the home side and supporters alike.
A hard fought victory against higher league opposition sets up a 1st Qualifying Round fixture away to Kent League side Hythe Town in ten days time.
Justin Luchford's attention shifts back to the League this coming weekend as the Lilywhites travel to Tunbridge Wells on Saturday before hosting Lordswood on Tuesday 8th September - kick-off at 19:45.
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