REPORT | Widnes 1-1 Emley (FA Cup 1QR)

Matt Van Wyk headed Widnes' equaliser as the Whites were forced to settle for a replay against lower-ranked Emley.

Donae Lawrence fired the visitors into the lead early in the second half but Van Wyk replied not long thereafter and neither side were able to find a winner.

The two sides will meet again in Yorkshire on Tuesday 5 September.

Emley held their own throughout the contest and while Widnes arguably created the better chances, particularly late on, they were held at arm's length by a resolute Pewits team who deserved their draw and a second chance at an upset.

Widnes boss Michael Ellison made three changes to the side that had beaten Clitheroe last time out.

Steven Irwin and Kris Holt were both unavailable while James Steele was only fit enough for the bench.

Jay Roberts earned a recall, MJ Monaghan came in for his first start while Jack McGowan was handed a debut up front.

The first half never really got going in a cagey, if attritional, start to the contest.

Paul Walker and Irywah Gooden had early sights of goal for Emley but never troubled Cameron Terry while Van Wyk really should have put Widnes ahead after 19 minutes, blazing over from 12 yards out.

McGowan would later have a shot blocked while Joe Clegg fired wide for the visitors in an opening period low on quality with few chances.

Both sides would have discussed the importance at half time of striking first and Emley were in dreamland when they mustered a breakthrough less than 90 seconds after the restart.

It was all too easy from Widnes’ point-of-view with Gooden afforded far too much room to cut inside from the left.

His run pulled three home players out of position and a clever reverse pass found Lawrence in acres of space to drive an effort into the far corner with Terry well-beaten.

The goal sparked the visitors away following into a frenzy but Widnes, to their credit, responded well.

McGowan might feel that he should have bagged himself a debut goal but he couldn’t quite sort his feet out when one-on-one with the goalkeeper and Emley escaped with their lead.

Emley’s advantage would only last for eight minutes.

Monaghan and Roberts combined well on the right, teeing up the latter to flight a sumptuous ball into the area where Van Wyk was arriving to level with authority.

Both sides pushed for a winner.

McGowan again went close with his lob dropping wide of the target after goalkeeper Declan Lambton had been caught in no man’s land while Terry was alert to push a James Walshaw effort away to safety.

But 1-1 it remained and the two teams will contest a replay on Tuesday night.