Mark Knee hit a late equaliser as Worthing forced a high-scoring draw in a topsy-turvy clash at Heybridge Swifts.

Rebels, unbeaten in their last eight games, twice fought back against their premier league opponents who wasted a glorious opportunity to clinch it when Daniel Barber missed a penalty.

Barber put the spot kick wide four minutes from time after Andrew Beech was penalised for a foul.

Heybridge's Steve Daly was twice off target and also had a header saved by Ross Standen before James Robinson gave the hosts the lead on 30 minutes after being set up by Andrew Tomlinson.

Sam Francis fired his seventh of the season from the spot to level after being tripped, and was in close attendance when Shaun Grice forced the ball home to give Rebels the lead following a fumble by goalkeeper Darren Placid.

But Neil Cousins hit back for Heybridge inside a minute from 18 yards, and Kevin Budge then cashed in on a slip by keeper Standen to restore the hosts' lead.

In a frantic finale, Heybridge substitute Gary Hill struck the bar before Knee, standing in for Gavin Geddes, scored at the far post after Ben Carrington delivered a perfect cross.

There was still more late drama as Barber put Heybridge's penalty wide and Rebels' assistant manager Danny Bloor is now confident of finishing the job at Woodside Road tomorrow.

He said: "It was a fair result and we are pleased to be facing a replay when we hope there will be a big crowd."