The final whistle was greeted with jubilation from 2236 travelling City fans, who saw Paddy Madden’s first half goal cancelled out by a Daniel Nti equaliser just two minutes into the second half.

The result means that City will host Scunthorpe at Aggborough (date to be confirmed), at which point they will know who they could potentially face in the third round, should they be victorious.

Despite a bright start from the visitors, it was the League one hosts, who sit 60 league places above City, that fired an early warning after Billy Kee’s venomous half-volley goal-wards was beaten acrobatically clear by City stopper Nathan Vaughan with 14 minutes on the clock.

City continued to hold their own and tested Scunthorpe goalkeeper Sam Slocombe after central Wayne Thomas let fly speculatively from the halfway line with a firmly struck half-volley that was easily held by the ‘keeper midway through the first half.

But it was the hosts who snatched a 36th minute lead after Billy Kee’s deflected free kick was tipped onto the crossbar by a full-stretched Vaughan, before a lurking Paddy Madden bundled home the rebound.

But a defiant City continued to fight and were level within just two minutes of the second half after Scunthorpe failed to clear their lines, and Conor Gater’s miscued shot found Daniel Nti inside the six-yard area, who thumped the ball into the roof of the net in front of the delirious travelling fans. The dream was very much still alive.

And it was City who continued to dominate, coming close after Tyler Weir’s shot from the edge of the area was deflected wide, before Mike Symons pounced on Slocombe’s fumble from the resulting corner and fired a swivelling half-volley over the bar.

But United continued to pose a threat, and after Lyle Taylor’s skilful run saw him drive a low shot that was beaten clear by Vaughan, Billy Kee stroked the immediate rebound wide when he looked destined to score from 10 yards out.

The Frustration around Glanford Park was palpable as City continued to control the game and came close through Conference North player of the month Sean Geddes, who fired a free kick that dipped just over the crossbar from wide on the left with 74 minutes on the clock.

The game opened up in the final 10 minutes and Vaughan was called upon again after substitute Hakeem Adelakun slipped a neat pass to free Madden in the area, only for his snapshot to be beaten away by the City stopper.

City pushed for a winning goal deep into injury time, but Ellis Deeney’s ambitious effort from outside the area was easily held by Solcombe.

Paddy Madden’s audacious attempt to lob Vaughan in the dying seconds was easily caught by the goalkeeper, leaving City with their FA Cup dream still very much alive.

City boss, Carl Heeley, was pleased with his side’s effort.

“We’d have taken a draw before the game, of course we would. We were disappointed and a bit deflated at half time because we don’t think that we did ourselves justice and probably got a little bit overawed”.

He added, “We’ve got a little bit of experience, we stuck in there and we kept ourselves in the game. It was nice to get an early second half goal, and in the end, it could have gone either way. Overall, I think it’s a fair result. I think both sides deserve a second crack, so let’s go again”, he added.

Attention for City, who haven’t lost since September 20th, now turns to Saturday’s FA Trophy tie at home to FC Halifax Town.

Attendance: 5606
Report by Alex Harris