Former Leicester City and Aston Villa striker Julian Joachim was the width of a post away from making himself an Emirates FA Cup hero on Saturday.
Joachim's Holwell Sports side impressively held Bedworth United to a 2-2 draw in their first qualifying round clash.
An FA Cup Finalist for Villa at the Old Wembley in 2000, the 40-year-old was in somewhat different surroundings on as he lined up for the East Midlands Counties League at Welby Road.
And despite two steps separating the hosts from visitors Bedworth United in the national league system, they more than held their own.
Southern Football League Division One Central side Bedworth started well and went ahead through Kyle Cartwright’s header before Alex Naughton made it 2-0 after 16 minutes.
But Holwell grew in confidence and two goals in three minutes from Graham Wells put them level before the break.
The second half was an tightly-contested affair but with time ticking down, ex-England Under-21s striker Joachim appeared to have won it but his effort agonisingly hit the woodwork.
Fellow tenth-tier outfit Hook Norton are into the next round after Luc Thornton’s 85th minute goal saw them nudge past Eastbourne United, while Bodmin Town also progressed after beating Almondsbury UWE after goals from Sam Matthews and Steve Bowker.
There was no such luck for Plymouth Parkway who were unable to get the better of Southern Football League Premier Division side.
Julian Joachim played in the 2000 FA Cup Final
The South West Peninsula League Premier Division side were always up against it, although it was former Wales youth international Kayne McLaggon who stole the show with a goal in each half to help his side to a 2-0 win.
Elsewhere, it proved to be an entertaining affair between Jarrow Roofing Boldon CAFC and Congleton Town, who played out a seven-goal thriller.
Northern League side Jarrow Roofing had been leading 2-0 after just four minutes but Scott Sephton headed one back and Scott McGowan levelled with just 15 minutes on the clock.
The visitors then took the lead for the first time through Declan Fletcher before extending their lead in the second half through Brian Matthews’ long-range effort.
And while John Campbell’s second goal of the match made for a nervy finish, Congleton held on to earn a 4-3 win and with it, a place in the next round.
There will be plenty of replays next week after 28 ties failed to find a winner on Saturday, including a 3-3 draw between Coleshill Town and Newcastle Town and 2-2 draws for Thackley FC and Abbey Hey FC, Goole AFC and Bamber Bridge, Holbeach United and Stourport Swifts, and Leek Town and Deeping Rangers.
