Thorpe breaks Kingstonian hearts

Geoff Pitcher strides forward for Kingstonian

Bristol City 1-1 Kingstonian

Bristol City's leading scorer Tony Thorpe saved his side from another Geoff Chapple-orchestrated giant-killing.

The Kingstonian manager, with a record seven league scalps in the FA Cup, was on the brink of another triumph after Phil Wingfield's 57th minute goal.

But three minutes into injury time and with the last kick of the match, Thorpe, who had come on as a second half substitute, lashed home a loose ball from a corner to force a replay.

Kingstonian, in the fourth round of the FA Cup for the first time in their history, came to Ashton Gate having already knocked out Brentford and Southend, both away from home.

Chapple's men, strangely second bottom in the Conference, started confidently against a Bristol City side riding high in the Second Division.

There were tears in the dressing room because it was that close but it doesn't matter whether a goal is scored in the first five seconds or last five seconds - they count

  Geoff Chapple

After just four minutes Kingstonian defender Mark Harris came up for a corner and headed onto the bar.

The home side soon got into their stride as player-coach Brian Tinnion began to find his range.

A neat chipped pass from Tinnion set Lee Peacock up with a clear shot on goal but the striker horribly miscued.

Tinnion then went for goal himself from 30 yards and saw his effort cannon off the crossbar.

Under pressure

Peter Beadle had another chance for City who were taking a firm grip on the game by midway through the first half.

I thought we were on our way out. It looked like it wasn't going to be our day. Believe me I was very happy to see that net move

  City manager Danny Wilson

City again came close to scoring when Mickey Bell whipped in a cross which was just too high for Scott Murray as the goal lay open.

The non-leaguers, who had put together some neat moves on the rare occasions they he held possession, lasted out to half time.

Bristol kept up the pressure after the break but Kingstonian nearly sneaked the lead after 51 minutes when Ian Duerden found himself clear .

I thought we were on our way out, and believe me I was very happy to see that net move

  Bristol City manager Danny Wilson

But from a narrow angle the former Doncaster man missed the target and two unmarked team-mates waiting to pounce at the far post.

After 57 minutes a possible shock was set up when Wingfield picked up the ball at the edge of the area rounded Steve Phillips and chipped high into the net.

Thorpe had a header blocked on the line and then Kingstonian keeper Gavin Kelly made a fine save from a Murray header.

City thought they had equalised ten minutes from time when Bell crashed a shot past Kelly but it was ruled out because of a handball offence by Tinnion in the build-up.

It seemed it was not going to be Bristol's day but that was before Thorpe saved his side with his 18th goal of the season.

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Bristol City: Phillips, Carey, Bell, Millen, Murray, Beadle, Hill, Peacock, Aaron Brown, Tinnion, Clist.
Subs: Thorpe, Burnell, Amankwaah, Marvin Brown, Malessa.

Kingstonian: Kelly, Beard, Luckett, Allan, Saunders, Harris, Patterson, Pitcher, Duerden, Akuamoah, Wingfield.
Subs: David Bass, Stewart, Winston, Boyce, Green.

Referee: G Poll (Tring)