Didcot Town were denied victory when hosts Merthyr Town scored with the last kick of the game in Saturday’s dramatic FA Trophy third qualifying round tie which finished 3-3.

The Railwaymen hit back to lead 3-1 with three quick goals early in the second half, against their fellow promotion contenders in Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West.

Merthyr pulled one back with 15 minutes left before shattering Didcot hopes with that last-gasp strike.

After a scrappy opening half-hour, the hosts took the lead when Kayne McLaggon superbly lobbed Didcot keeper James Foster.

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Merthyr controlled of the rest of the half, but were unable to double their lead.

Sam Elkins could have levelled it up before half-time, but shot just wide.

Didcot made a lightning start in the second half and within ten minutes, were 3-1 up.

John Mills was on the end of a long ball and rounded Merthyr keeper Tom Bradley and scored.

Within three minutes he gave the visitors the lead with his 33rd goal of the season.

Pablo Haysham then made it 3-1 after a poor back pass by Jamie Rewbury, which he picked off and fired home.

The Railwaymen seemed destined for the first round proper.

But Merthyr then put the visitors under pressure.

It was not until 15 minutes from time that ex-Swansea player Guillermo Bauza halved the deficit.

Merthyr put all the pressure on searching for an equaliser in the last 15 minutes and Didcot defended well.

However, in the fifth minute of injury time, Rewbury scored to give the hosts a draw and a replay at Didcot tomorrow night.

Didcot Tn: Foster, Elkins, Organ, Self, Carnell, Lear-oyd, Longford (Dutton-Black 67), Ballard (Clark HT), Mills, Haysham (Baines 85), Woodley. Subs not used: Brooks, Heapy.

Attendance: 348.

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