Stoppage-time equaliser denies Chesterfield shock FA Cup victory

A late header from Brandon Thomas-Asante denied Chesterfield a historic FA Cup upset, as they drew 3-3 with Championship side West Bromwich Albion at the Technique Stadium on Saturday.

In a sell out crowd of almost 10,000, it was the worst possible start for The Spireites, who fell behind in the opening 90 seconds, when Karlan Grant's pull back from the left hand side was thumped in to the roof of the net by Thomas-Asante, for his sixth goal of the season.

Photo by Jonathan Petersson

Paul Cook's men responded perfectly against a side 66 places above them in the English football pyramid, and levelled just six minutes later, as defender Tyrone Williams bundled the ball in after Jamie Grimes had headed the ball across goal from a well worked set-piece routine.

The goals kept coming in a frenetic first half, as Karlan Grant latched onto an excellent though ball from Adam Reach, and put Carlos Corberan's side back in front, as they searched for a ninth win in 11 games under the Spanish coach.

West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper David Button was called upon twice to make important saves against Liam Mandeville, but couldn't keep out Armando Dobra, who finished off a slick move to continue his record of scoring in every round of the FA Cup.

With the crowd behind them, Chesterfield continued to rally, and sent the Technique Stadium into pandemonium, as Dobra grabbed his second of the game to put The Spireites in front, rifling home the rebound into the roof of the net following a good original save from Button.

The hosts were unable to replicate the same pace in the second half, and the Baggies dominated throughout, with Daryl Dike going close in a goalmouth scramble, before goalkeeper Ross Fitzsimons made a good stop to palm away a low header from Brandon Thomas-Asante.

Despite defensive heroics, the Championship side would have the last laugh, as Thomas-Asante headed in from close range from a clipped ball from Taylor Gardner-Hickman, to force a replay back at The Hawthorns on the 17th of January.

The winners of the replay will face a trip to either Bristol City or Swansea City in the fourth round.