It took three fixtures, extra time and a lengthy penalty shoot-out but eventually Burgess Hill Town put Chalfont St Peter out of The Buildbase FA Trophy and sealed their own passage into the third round qualifying.
After the first meeting between the two sides was postponed by the weather and the second clash a week ago ended 2-2, once again there was little to choose between the two sides on Tuesday night.
The Buildbase FA Trophy
Second Round Qualifying replaysTuesday 22 November 2016
Winners receive £3250 from prize fund
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Craige Tomkins’ penalty put the hosts – looking to equal their club best by making the third round qualifying – in front but Dan Pearse’s free-kick pegged them back.
And 1-1 was how it stayed as extra time could not separate the sides and it went down to spot kicks with the visitors holding their nerve in a dramatic shoot-out that finished 8-7 in their favour.
Victory for the Hillians sets up a clash at home to Hitchin Town on Saturday but they have a way to go to match their previous best of reaching the second round proper – something they managed two season ago.
In the other second round qualifying replay on Tuesday night, Harlow Town made it through against Brightlingsea Regent, thanks to Alex Read’s double.
After their first game was abandoned 10 days ago and the two sides drew 1-1 a week ago, this time Read did the damage in the second half.
He swivelled to slot home his first just after the hour mark and when he volleyed home with a quarter of an hour remaining the Hawks could start dreaming of the next round.
Harry McDonald then pulled back what proved to be a late consolation but Harlow held on for a 2-1 win to set up a third round qualifying clash with Havant & Waterlooville.
