RELIEVED boss Adie Arnold saw Christchurch end a four-match losing streak but acknowledged their rocky start had played its part in Alresford’s late equaliser.

Mark Smith’s early penalty ensured the visitors led for most of the FA Cup tie at Arlebury Park yesterday, but former Priory youngster Jack Hoey secured a 1-1 draw with five minutes to play.

Arnold told the Daily Echo: “We couldn’t quite hang on and conceded another late goal which seems to have become our thing at the moment but there were plenty of positives.

“Based on our first-half performance we deserved to go through but after the break we played like a team that had lost its past four games.

“We got deeper and deeper and showed a lack of confidence and killer instinct. If we had got the second goal it would have settled the nerves a little bit.

“The longer it went on the more panicky we became and they nicked one. To be honest, we were hanging on for the last seven or eight minutes but I was pleased we held out."

The replay takes place at Hurn Bridge on Wednesday.

Priory: Bray, Wilkinson, Clark, Dodd, Steer (Roberts, 70), Vining, Cullen, Smith, Harris (Owen, 75), Saxby, Lovell. Unused subs: Proudley, Hampton-Brown, Hill, Fawcett (g/k).

  • Hamworthy United’s interest in this season’s FA Cup was ended with a 2-0 defeat at league rivals Newport (IOW). Scott Jones nabbed two goals in five first-half minutes for the hosts.

Hammers: Ackerman, Yelland, Cole, Legg, Donachy, Corby (Swann, 60), Hubbard, Blackburn, Osborne (Cook, 60), Warren, Price (Haysom, 70).