ASHINGTON striker Jamie Clarke scored a last-gasp equaliser to earn the home side a replay on Tuesday night at Rivacre Park.
Motors controlled the match by having the majority of possession and created several chances but were unable to kill the game off despite being 3-1 ahead at one stage.
The home side made a lively start and took the lead after just seven minutes when an Ashington free-kick into the area and was flicked onto Jamie Clarke who headed home from six yards out.
Motors hit back with two goals in two minutes to turn the game on its head.
The first came with 13 minutes on the clock when a corner taken by Sean Williams was met by Craig Mahon who stooped low at the near post to head past Ashington keeper Karl Dryden.
Just a minute later, leading goalscorer Josh Wilson initially saw his effort hit the post but he was on hand to fire home the rebound from close range.
The match was held up for nearly 20 minutes midway through the first half as Ashington captain Darren Lough sustained a nasty head injury and was taken to hospital by ambulance.
After the interval, Motors had a host of chances to make the game safe with Lee Dames and Leighton McGivern firing wide just after half-time.
In the 67th-minute, McGivern went close again with a sweetl- struck 20-yarder, but it was straight at Dryden.
McGivern was foiled again by Dryden just three minutes later when the keeper was quick off his line to close down the Vauxhall striker and block his goalbound effort.
McGivern finally got on the score sheet in the 73rd minute when he twisted and turned just inside the box before drilling the ball into the corner of the net from ten yards out.
Motors looked to be cruising to victory but Ashington had other ideas.
On 76 minutes, Ashington substitute Stephen Young buried a left-footed volley past Scott Tynan then, with just seconds remaining, a right wing cross was headed in off the crossbar by Jamie Clarke to rescue the tie for the home side.
Vauxhall: Tynan, Taylor, Dames, Hannigan, Jones, Beck, Mahon, Mannix, McGivern, Wilson (Nethercote 85), Williams (Fearnehough 87).
Subs not used: Highdale, Wright, Spotswood, Martindale. Man-of-the-match: Paul Jones (Vauxhall).
This Saturday, October 8, Vauxhalls are away to 15th placed Histon. Kick-off will be at 3pm.
THE GLOBE
