Bristol Rovers narrowly avoided another FA Cup exit to non-league opposition with a 1-1 draw against Bromley last Sunday at the Memorial Stadium, writes Steve Knowlson.

Over the last few years Rovers have had a miserable time in the FA Cup, rarely making it beyond the first round and regularly exiting to non-league teams – including Chesham, Barrow and Barnet – much to the continued annoyance of Gasheads. We all remember the exciting run to the quarter finals back in 2008 and success like that in the Cup brings with it a bigger profile, momentum from winning and, of course, a lot of money.

With Rovers’ recent poor record in mind, this fixture had “cupset” written all over it. Bromley are in fine form, flying high in the National League with a considerable goal threat.

Despite this, we should have had enough in the locker to defeat a team 39 places below us in the league pyramid but unfortunately we simply never got going. Bromley had the better of a match low on chances and arguably created more than the home side – including a glorious opportunity when visiting striker Adam Mekki fired over with just Anssi Jaakkola to beat.

Tyler Smith and Victor Adeboyejo offered little up front for Rovers and substitute Jonson Clarke-Harris, returning after injury, was similarly subdued in his first appearance in four weeks.

Despite our insipid attack, Rovers took the lead 12 minutes from time when sub Luke Leahy’s first touch was to sidefoot a saved Liam Sercombe shot into the goal from close range.

Gasheads thought that passage into the second round was secured – especially as we were playing against 10 men after a Bromley player went off injured with no subs left – but five minutes later we were caught by a sucker punch when the normally reliable Jaakkola spilled a corner, allowing Chris Bush to equalise for the visitors and force a replay in South East London.

It was a very disappointing performance but Rovers live to fight again and have the opportunity to put our first round hoodoo behind us on Tuesday 19 November. A second round tie against Plymouth awaits the victor.