Urchins were held at home by East Thurrock

Hornchurch manager Jimmy McFarlane admitted a 1-1 draw was probably a fair result between Urchins and East Thurrock on Saturday in the FA Cup.

The two Ryman Premier teams played out a draw in the first round qualifying tie at Bridge Avenue and will commence battle again tomorrow evening at Rookery Hill.

George Purcell had opened the scoring before former Urchin Lewis Smith again came back to haunt his old side with a first half equaliser, and despite McFarlane’s team upping their game in the second period he conceded a draw was a fair result.

“I think on possession it was probably a fair result. They had the first half but we had the second half,” said McFarlane. “We had more chances than them but overall it was probably a fair result.

“We were probably as bad as we have been all season in the first half but we had a few words at half time and in the second half we were camped in their half.

“I put Martin Tuohy on for the final 20 minutes as we need to continue progressing his fitness and he had a few chances and Tobi Jospeh did too.”

Tuohy had two opportunities after coming on and hit the post with an overhead in the 88th minute but Hornchurch failed to ensure their progression to the next round.

McFarlane is pleased that Purcell is back in the goals and is sure Tuohy will soon be finding the net again.

He added: “George looks a different player now he has a few goals and is confident again. He could have got a couple more on Saturday but he looked really good.

“We have Martin back as well. He had two great chances and they were both ‘Martin Tuohy chances’ and a couple of weeks down the line he will score them.”

Smith, for the second time this season, found the net against Hornchurch and though it was a weak effort that beat Urchins goalie Sam Mott, the Hornchurch boss wasn’t too critical of his keeper.

McFarlane said: “We haven’t had a chance to go over it but the goalkeeper coach told me Sam was unsighted because it came through a crowd of players and Sam has been brilliant for us this season as well.”