Worthing's bid to reach the last 16 for the first time in 19 years is still alive after they drew at Hednesford in a fourth round tie last night.

Sam Francis took his goal tally to 26 with a 44th-minute equaliser as Rebels came from behind to force a replay at Woodside Road next Tuesday (7.45pm).

Joint assistant-manager Danny Bloor said: "We had six players missing who may have been in the starting line-up but the boys were superb.

"We should have won but we would have settled for a draw before the game. It was a great result for Sussex football."

Mark Danks gave Hednesford, from the Dr Martens League, a perfect start by cutting in from the left and chipping goalkeeper Will Packham after only ten minutes.

But Rebels hit back to go close through Francis before the prolific striker latched on to a cross by Ben Carrington to turn and fire in from six yards across keeper Ryan Young.

Worthing, forced to withdraw the injured Carrington for Gavin Geddes at the break, shaded the second period and Geddes headed over midway through in a move involving Sean Edwards and Mark Pulling.

Hednesford threatened when Steve Palmer flashed a fierce 15-yard shot past a post and Packham later kept his side on terms by diving to his left to turn away a Chris Brindley volley.

Rebels, unbeaten away from home since mid-November, marked their first match for a fortnight by extending their fine unbeaten run to 11 games.