Consett missed a golden opportunity to progress in the FA Cup when they gave up a two goal lead in an entertaining tie at Belle Vue Park against a team two leagues higher in the non-league football pyramid.

Manager Kenny Lindoe made one change to the side that had beaten West Auckland in the previous game with Michael Coulthard replacing David Scorer in the heart of the defence.

Both teams saw their defences stretched by the opposition’s attacking players throughout and The Steelmen almost took the lead after only 12 seconds when visiting keeper Wilson parried Mattie Moffat’s shot for a corner.

But Consett did strike first when after seven minutes Moffat volleyed home over the keeper who despite getting a hand to the ball couldn’t keep it out.

Ferriby struck back to level 12 minutes later when Denton shot home from close range following Fry’s corner.

After 24 minutes Consett were back in front. Moffat’s header hit the bar and Steven Johnson headed in the rebound from 2 yards. Three minutes later Jonjo Dickman forced Wilson to save from Andrew Cuthbertson’s pass.

The visitors came close to levelling on the half hour when Chapman’s shot hit the bar and Paul Gilmore grabbed the ball at the feet of Davidson.

However, The Villagers did level the scores three minutes before the interval. Chapman’s free-kick was inadvertently headed back towards his own goal by Coulthard, and with Gilmore stranded, Denton touched the ball home.

But the home side struck again on the stroke of half time. Moffat was creator this time, slipping the ball into the path of Dickman who slotted the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

Half Time: Consett 3-2 Ferriby

Consett looked to be well on the way to victory when they added a fourth goal seven minutes after the restart. Steven Brown played the ball to Moffat who in turn touched the ball onto Johnson who gave the keeper no chance with his emphatic finish.

The Steelmen almost added another ten minutes later when Brown had his shot blocked and then from the rebound his second effort was cleared off the line with Wilson beaten.

But with 16 minutes to go Ferriby were given a lifeline. Gilmore failed to hold a cross from the left and with the ball only half cleared Fry fired into the top corner from 30 yards.

Worse was to follow for Consett two minutes later when substitute Torpey touched the ball home from Davidson’s cross to make it four each.

After that Ferriby had a penalty appeal turned down by the Cumbrian referee and they almost won the game with four minutes to go but Gilmore did well to deflect Bradshaw’s effort wide. In the end though, both sides had to settle for replay on Humberside.

Full Time: Consett 4-4 Ferriby

Andrew Pearson