Havant and Waterlooville 1 Barnet 1

FA Cup fourth qualifying round

Barnet could have been at least 4-0 up at half-time, and well on the way to collecting £20,000 for reaching the first round. But they suffered cruelly as Havant and Waterlooville enjoyed a charmed life.

However, it was a different story after Bees' keeper Lee Harrison, in a rare moment of horror, gifted the Dr Martens League Premier Division an equaliser early in the second half. The confidence drained away from the Bees who struggled to survive for a replay.

After Harrison made a fine save to prevent Havant grabbing an early lead, the visitors suffered several frustrating moments. Danny Brown's shot struck the far upright; Mark Arber's header crashed against the underside of the bar; and skipper Greg Heald's header was cleared off the goalline.

Barnet's only reward came in the 18th minute with a well-taken goal by Wayne Purser. A long ball by Arber was flicked on by Ben Strevens to Purser, who darted across the face of the goal and sent a low shot beyond keeper Paul Nicholls.

Purser should have scored a second goal, but was guilty of the miss of the match. Strevens, impressive with his pace and control, set up the chance, nodding the ball across to Purser who, with the goal at his mercy, headed over.

Harrison's costly clanger came in the 51st minute. His attempted clearance was charged down by Gary Connolly who, with the keeper stranded on the 18-yard line, lofted the ball high into the net from 35 yards.

Havant had their tails up, and Harrison was in trouble before recovering to deny Jamie O'Rourke a late winner.

Mark Gower, who had a quiet game, forced a flying save from Nicholls.

BARNET: Harrison, Gledhill, Heald, Arber, Flynn, Gower, Bell, Sawyers, Brown, Purser (Midgley 70), Strevens (Essandoh 89). Subs not used: Naisbitt, Pluck, Taylor. Attendance: 1,141. Man of the match: Strevens.

October 29, 2001 11:12

JOHN POLLARD