A GRIPPING 1-1 stalemate against a strong Taunton Town side had Bournemouth Poppies boss Keith Williams enthusing: "That was a terrific performance."

And a proud Williams went on to praise an FA Cup performance that is guaranteed to live in the Poppies memories for a long time to come.

He said: "I'm proud of the lads and I'm proud of the club and the way it's developed over the last two or three years.

"To come here and perform like that was outstanding, and really with the chances we had we should have won.

"When you look at the calibre of Taunton over the years, I thought our lads were immense today.

"We had a big chat before the game on how big the FA Cup is, and to me it doesn't matter what level it is, the FA Cup is very special.

"The lads proved today that they're up for anything this year."

The Somerset outfit went all the way in the FA Vase in 2001, and gained promotion to the Dr Martens Western League in the same season. They are currently lying in fourth place after winning three of their opening four league games in this campaign.

So the magnitude of the Preliminary Round result, which in truth should really have been a win rather than a replay, couldn't be higher.

The opening five minutes belonged to the hosts, who threatened to stamp their authority on a game played in sweltering heat.

But the initial scare for Williams's boys was immediately eradicated and for the next hour it was Poppies who made all the running in an absorbing contest typical of the greatest domestic cup competition in the world.

A cruel blow then for Poppies in the 13th minute when a 25-yard free kick from an outrageous angle deceived Kevin Scriven in the Poppies goal to nestle in the top corner of the net for a home advantage.

Taunton threatened again on the break, and before Poppies had their clearest site on goal, Scriven produced a great save to deny a header from the Peacocks' top scorer, Anthony Lynch.

Poppies upped the tempo and Ryan Lucas first shot just wide and was then denied by goalkeeper Dave Mogg, before a hugely deserved equaliser entered the match stats.

Richard Glennister was a constant threat up front for the Victoria Park club, and it was his surging run down the left flank, which led to a free kick.

Paul Honeybun delivered the set piece into the box and Mark Dancer made it 1-1 with a flying header Alan Shearer would have been proud of.

Gary Clark thought he' had given Poppies the lead shortly after but, following brilliant link up play with Glennister, his effort was ruled out for the tightest of offside decisions.

It was a pulsating first half for the Wessex League side, and there was more of the same after the break.

Honeybun and Dancer both came close to giving the Poppie the lead and when Honeybun delivered a great cross into the six-yard box both Glennister and Adie Briscoe came within a whisker of connecting with two attempted diving headers.

The final 20 minutes belonged to the home side, and goalkeeper Scriven and his defence had to be on their toes.

Sammy Bryning contributed with a colossal game at the back.

Deep into injury time, Ross Drew summed up a performance of tremendous work-rate when he launched himself to block a goal-bound shot from Gary Fisher, which would surely have cancelled the replay.

As it turned out, anyone who witnessed this terrific cup-tie have not been denied the pleasure to watch it all again tomorrow night at Victoria Park (kick off 7.45pm).

Poppies: Scriven, Drew, Briscoe (Till 89), Coleman, Bryning, Lucas (Cuglietta 81), Clark (Town 65), Glennister, Holmes, Honeybun, Dancer. Unused subs: Kydd, Lord.