Paulton Rovers 3 (O’Connor 30, Price 67, Cooper 75)

North Leigh 3 (Taylor 21, 70, Reardon 44)

North Leigh, who finished with nine men, nearly pulled off the shock of the round, having led high-riding Paul-ton on three occasions in a dramatic tie on Saturday.

However, the Zamaretto Southern League Division 1 South & West leaders pulled it back each time.

At least North Leigh, who had Toby Clark and Kieran Sanders sent off near the end, will have another crack in tomorrow night’s replay at Eynsham Park.

The visitors started strongly with Joe Burnell, Matty Taylor and Sanders all going close before they took the lead in the 21st minute.

Sanders beat two defenders on a mazy run before crossing for Taylor to slide the ball home from close range.

Paulton equalised against the run of play on the half-hour.

Chris Lane, on the left, put over a low cross which Daine O’Connor, who had already seen one shot well saved, met at the far post to give keeper Adam Lonsdale no chance.

Further chances were spur-ned by North Leigh before they regained the lead right on half-time, when Ben Reardon gathered a blocked shot by Taylor and lashed the ball in.

Paulton started the second half in more resilient mood, with a rearranged formation, and mounted a series of attacks.

However, it was not until the 67th minute, with Yellows central defender Karl Dodds off the pitch receiving treatment, that Paulton levelled again through Ollie Price.

North Leigh did not lie down, and three minutes later, the irrepressible Taylor broke away down the left channel to make it 3-2 with his second goal.

With the visitors forced to make two substitutions thro-ugh injury, Paulton redoubled their efforts, and sub Matt Cooper made it 3-3.

Shortly after this equaliser, Clark was sent off following a second yellow card. North Leigh’s plight became even worse when Sanders was also dismissed for two cautions.

However, nine-man North Leigh held out with some desperate defending to earn deserved replay.

North Leigh: Lonsdale, Posey, Caton, Clark, Hole, Dodds (Saunders 74), Burnell (Bowles 71), Redknap, Taylor, Reardon, Sanders. Subs not used: Merriman, Gee.

Attendance: 182.