BRIGHTLINGSEA Regent fought back from behind to draw 1-1 against Harlow Town, in tonight’s FA Trophy second qualifying round tie at North Road.

Matt Cripps notched a deserved leveller in the closing seconds of the first half, to cancel out Alex Read’s second-minute opener for the Hawks.

With no further goals after the break, the contest finished all-square and the sides will now meet again in a replay next Tuesday.

Tonight’s match went ahead after the original tie was abandoned on Saturday, following a floodlight failure early in the second half.

As a goodwill gesture, both clubs agreed that entry should be free and so a bumper crowd of 234 gathered despite the soggy, misty conditions.

Brightlingsea got off to the worst possible start, falling behind after just two minutes.

A long ball forward bounced into the path of prolific front man Read, who thundered an unstoppable volley into the net from 25 yards.

The hosts were stunned but, to their credit, responded positively.

They created plenty of pressure during the remainder of the half and had several opportunities.

Aaron Condon went agonisingly close with a volley from outside the area that was tipped over by David Hughes.

Shamido Pedulu then saw a low drive fly through a pack of players before being shovelled off the line by a Hawks defender.

Phil Kelly got to the by-line but his whipped-in cross from the right was pushed behind by Hughes.

The Regent striker then had a great chance inside the box but snatched at his shot and fired wide of the right-hand post.

Harlow’s Jared Small shot from the left and forced a save from keeper Dan Beeson.

However, Brightlingsea were on top and their equaliser duly arrived in the last moments of the first half.

Cripps rose to meet a throw into the box and saw his glancing header drop into the net.

There was more drama in the last few seconds when Harlow’s Stan Muguo appeared to tug back Tom Richardson.

The Regent striker was left with a dislocated shoulder and therefore unable to continue, while manager James Webster was ordered to the stands for protesting to referee Darin Geary.

The second period was a more even affair, with few goal-scoring opportunities.

Regent substitute George Doyle, who had replaced Richardson, had a shot palmed behind by Hughes.

But aside from that, the contest petered out and the sides will now meet again on Tuesday, hoping to set up a third qualifying round trip to Ryman League premier division side Havant and Waterlooville on Saturday week.

Regent: Beeson, Griggs, Jake Gould, Witherspoon, Josh Gould, Cripps, Pedulu (McDonald 79), Turner, Richardson (Doyle 46), Kelly (Harvey 85), Condon. Unused subs: Bowles, Baker.

Elsewhere tonight, HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS were in Ryman League division north action and pulled off an excellent 3-0 win at Ware.

Jack Smith gave them an early lead before two own goals either side of the break from the hosts.

Swifts have now kept three clean sheets in a row.