That Romford have a second bite of the cherry with a replay at Takeley on Tuesday evening is probably the biggest positive to draw from this game, as despite the fillip of an early goal, and playing against ten men for over half-an-hour, Boro were second best to Takeley for much of the ninety minutes.

Alex Balisani was twice involved in the early stages as Boro initially took the game to their opponents. First he intercepted the ball deep in Takeley territory but shot wide, and then after just six minutes, he burst into the box only to be brought down (pictured by Alan Blackholly). Just as he had on Tuesday, Kris Newby stepped up for the penalty and beat Gill from twelve yards, despite the Takeley keeper again going the right way.

Romford’s lead lasted only five minutes, as although Jordon Westcott's shot was saved by Billy Lawlor, the ball ran invitingly for George Frodsham, who followed up to score.

Boro were then indebted to Danny Hurford, whose brilliantly executed tackle denied George Frodsham as he raced into the home penalty area.

Neither side created anything of real note in the remainder of the first half, the major talking points of which were a yellow card for Boro boss Steve Butterworth, and the enforced substitution of Takeley’s Jordan Westcott after a wince-inducing clash of heads that required the visiting player to have his head extensively bandaged.

As it had been in the league game on Wednesday evening, the second half was somewhat stop-start, and it began badly for Takeley when Aundre Humphrey was shown a straight red by referee Darryl Ann for a challenge on Boro’s Emmanuel Robe that must have been worse than it looked, as many thought it worthy of no more than a yellow.

Charlie Morris headed wide from Robe’s chipped cross, and at the other end Lawlor save well from Thorpe’s low shot from the edge of the box after a corner had been half cleared in two of the few clear cut chances either side managed to create.

Takeley manager Marc Das joined his Boro counterpart in the referee’s book for something he said shortly before Boro created their best chance of the second period. Toby Barlow’s long through ball after 66 minutes found Jesse Olukolu on the edge of the Takeley penalty area, but his attempted chip shot was gathered by Gill.

Takeley had a glorious chance to win the game when George Powell met a corner at the far post with his head, but fortunately for Boro, he could only direct the ball wide of goal.

Burrell was booked for a foul on Martin Touhy and Jake Gordon was booked for a foul in midfield, before Takeley made strong appeals for a penalty, claiming that Wappett was fouled in the penalty area. The referee was unimpressed, and he was similarly unmoved when Takeley appeared to be demanding a red card for an alleged stamp by Kris Newby.

A foul on Olukolu on the edge of the Takeley penalty area in the sixth minute of added time produced a free-kick that came to nought, so a replay at Station Road on Wednesday will be necessary.

Romford: Billy Lawlor, Toby Barlow, Danny Hurford, Kris Newby, Tambeson Eyong, John Mbamarah, Jesse Olukolu, George Cox (Jacob Wiggins, 78m), Emmanuel Robe (Martin Touhy, 62m), Alex Balisani, Charlie Morris (Jake Gordon, 63m). Unused subs: Bleron Ademi, Tyrese Sibanda