Buildbase FA Trophy
Preliminary round replay
AFC Totton 1, Taunton Town 2 (aet)

ROSS Staley's winning goal in extra time saw Taunton Town past AFC Totton at the second attempt in the FA Trophy, earning the Peacocks £3,000 and a home tie with Merthyr Town on October 28.

With an astonishing six centre-backs - Owen Irish, Chris McGrath, Ben Palmer, Mark Preece, Arran Pugh and Matt Villis - either injured or unavailable, boss Leigh Robinson was forced to deploy Brett Trowbridge and Shane White further back alongside Ben Adelsbury.

He was at least able to welcome back captain Matt Wright, who started alongside new signing Dan Sullivan up front at the Testwood Stadium.

After a couple of chances for both sides, the Peacocks took the lead on 33 minutes, as Wright knocked down Les Afful's cross for Pierce Mitchell to score with a fierce half-volley from the edge of the area.

Sullivan was then denied a debut goal by a goal-line clearance by Patrick Nolan, as the score remained 1-0 at the break.

Just like in Saturday's game in Taunton, the second half brought a Totton equaliser, with Charlie Gunson finding the net with an excellent strike on 52 minutes.

Sullivan had a goal disallowed for an infringement and Staley shot narrowly wide after a powerful run, while Lloyd Irish was forced into action at the other end to keep out Tobi Adekunle's free-kick.

No more goals in normal time meant an extra 30 minutes, and Staley popped up right at the end of the first period of extra time - after a rebounded effort fell kindly to him - to put Town back ahead.

Totton could not haul themselves level again, and so it was the visitors who progressed to the next round.

Taunton Town: Lloyd Irish, Pierce Mitchell, Ross Staley, Shane White, Brett Trowbridge, Ben Adelsbury, Ollie Chamberlain, Ryan Brett, Matt Wright (Shaun Anthony), Dan Sullivan, Les Afful (Omar Simpson).