DROGHEDA Town's marathon FAI Intermediate Cup run will extend into mid-February at least, after Trevor Harding salvaged a fourth-round replay with a stoppage-time equaliser at Funtasia Waterpark (Marian Park) on Sunday.

Alan Kelly's team had beaten fellow Ulster Senior League side Swilly Rovers in the previous round of the competition, but this tie only got the go-ahead at the 11th hour, with one side of the pitch very soft and the other still frozen.

The first half was dominated by the visitors, with Town's lack of match practice very evident, and Bonagee nearly took a seventh-minute lead when Aidan McLoughlin shot narrowly wide following good approach play. McLoughlin should have put the Donegal outfit in front on the half-hour when he was given space to pick his spot, but he fired straight at Town keeper Derek O'Brien and it was still scoreless at the interval.

Five minutes into the second half an excellent move involving Richard Gibney and Aaron Comerford finished with Trevor Harding shooting narrowly wide of the keeper's right side.

Moments later the visitors took the lead with what must be the best goal scored at Marian Park in years, as Noel O'Donnell hit an unstoppable 30-yard shot to give O'Brien no chance.

The visitors should have put the result beyond doubt when Jason Ashmore was left one-on-one with O'Brien, but shot straight at the keeper.

Town then put everthing into attack and they got their reward in the 91st minute when Harding forced the ball to set up a reply in Letterkenny the weekend after next.

Best for Town was Alan Connor.