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Deal Town host Redhill in FA Cup preliminary round replay after riding their luck in first meeting

Deal are out to make the most of their second chance in the FA Cup.

An 87th-minute own goal gave the Hoops a 1-1 draw at Redhill in Saturday’s preliminary round tie.

Deal Town boss Derek Hares Picture: Alan Langley
Deal Town boss Derek Hares Picture: Alan Langley

The winners of tonight’s replay at the Charles Ground host Sevenoaks or Erith Town in the first qualifying round on September 4.

Town were fortunate to get another crack at Redhill and are determined to make it count.

Boss Derek Hares said: “We rode our luck a little bit but the boys kept going, to their credit, and we managed to snatch an equaliser at the death.

“Redhill were a good side - I think they hit the woodwork three times - but in saying that, I thought the last 15 minutes was the best period of the game for us.

“We scored a last-minute winner against Southall in the last round and now this, so it shows the boys keep going to the end.

"The own goal's come from a melee and a shot by Connor Miller that's looped off their player's leg but I think it was going in anyway, to be honest.

“We managed to get away with a draw and are pleased to get another chance.

“Sometimes in football you only get one chance.

“That might have been Redhill’s best chance on Saturday, and they should have taken it, but you never know.

“They’ve now got to travel to us on a Tuesday night, which is never easy, but they are a decent side.”

There’s the carrot of a home tie in the next round, with Sevenoaks and Erith Town both familiar names to Deal.

“As long as you’re at home, that’s all you can ask for,” said Hares.

“I always think we’ve got a chance at home but we’ve got to get through the replay first, which won’t be easy.”

Read more: The latest sports news in Kent

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