Angels starting confidently in front of a bumper gate and top scorer Jon Main could have scored twice in the first ten minutes. Having beaten the offside trap he volleyed his first effort narrowly wide of goal before running onto a perceptive lofted pass from Scott Gooding only to see his well placed shot beaten away by the legs of Mark Ovendale. County began to get into their stride and scored with their first serious attack on fifteen minutes. Sam O’Sullivan fought his way to the by-line and Julian Alsop met his cross with a perfect low volley from 12 yards in front of a large and jubilant away following.

Craig Hughes headed wide from a Jason Bowen free-kick and Alsop just failed to connect with a penetrating Hughes cross as County looked for a second goal. Jon Main broke free for the third time but placed his lob shot wide before Alsop headed fractionally over in a keenly fought and even opening 45 minutes.

County had been troubled by balls over the top in the first period but the defence had the measure of the lively Angels’ attack in the second. County were far more of an attacking threat and exerted considerable pressure on the home goal. Paul Cochlin had a header cleared off the line seven minutes in and Craig Hughes was controversially given offside as he collected a downward header from forward accomplice Alsop to turn the ball home. From a Gooding free-kick on the hour Alex O’Brien rose at the far post and headed into the side-netting with the home crowd celebrating what appeared a certain goal.

Jason Bowen should have settled the match with a glorious chance just after the hour but chipped his shot over the bar following superb approach play by Hughes. Robert Kemper saw his diving header at the other end clear the bar before County took control in the closing stages and threatened again and again with incisive counter attacking play.

Matt Green turned and thundered a volley inches over from the corner of the six yard box before Hughes hit the intersection of bar and post from Paul Cochlin’s knock down, brought a first class close range save from Aaron Kerr, and had his appeal for a penalty turned down when appearing to be brought down as he shaped to shoot.

Tonbridge could not create a late opening and County comfortably held on. The final whistle was greeted by rapturous celebrations on and off the field.     

County now face their biggest cup tie since the Blackpool adventure of five years ago and the City is gripped with cup fever.

Line-Ups

County: Ovendale, Hillier, Brewer, Davies, Brough (C), Cochlin, Bowen, Collier, Alsop (Green 73), Hughes, O’Sullivan Subs Not Used: Evans, Edwards, Toghill, Giles

Tonbridge: Kerr, Gooding, Heath, Kember, Aris (C) (Power 78), Beales, Powell, O’Brien, Martin (Piscina 78), Main, Logan (Green 66) Subs Not Used: Dolby , Maxwell

Goals

County: Julian Alsop (15)

Cautions

County: John Brough (foul)

Tonbridge: Robert Kember (foul)

Officials

Referee: W Bull (Southampton)

Assistant Referees: C Hopkins (Stockbridge) and W Gemmell (Southampton)

Attendance

1549

Conditions

Dry, overcast, windy

Man of the Match

Reporter’s County Man of the Match: Paul Cochlin