The FA Cup adventure continues for the Oysters. Having knocked out one Step 3 team, Dulwich Hamlet, in the previous round, Whitstable came close to repeating the feat against Chichester City, but in the end had to settle for a replay on Tuesday evening. Chichester defender Curtis Da Costa diverted a cross into his own net to give Whitstable a first half lead and they will regret not making the most of several great chances to extend their advantage. Chichester had rarely threatened Dan Colmer in the home goal, but he had no chance when Lloyd Rowlatt fired in a late equaliser from distance.

Whitstable were drawn at home for the first time in this season's Emirates FA Cup, after three wins on the road, during which they had scored an impressive 19 goals, making them the current top scorers in the competition. Whitstable and Chichester had met several times, not so long ago, in the FA Vase, FA Trophy and the Isthmian South East Division, but currently find themselves two steps apart, with the Sussex team now in the Isthmian Premier Division, although still with the same nucleus of their team. Whitstable were again without the injured Bradley Schafer, scorer of five goals in the earlier rounds, but Dean Grant and Connor Wilkins were named among the substitutes. Former academy goalkeeper Josh Robson has returned to the club and was also on the bench for this game. Prior to the kick off, there was a minute's applause in memory of Alanna Grant, a much loved part of the football club who sadly passed away on Tuesday. The game kicked off with a rainbow in the sky on a showery day, but fortunately for the 702 in attendance. the weather improved for rest of the match.

Chichester won a couple of early corners in a relatively quiet start to the game, then for Whitstable a Javaun Splatt shot was deflected wide for a corner. After 15 minutes the corner count was 3-3, but neither goalkeeper had been particularly troubled. Ashdon Day then slipped the ball through to send Splatt clear, but he was pulled back by a tight offside call. Whitstable got themselves in front in the 20th minute following some good approach play on the right. Joe Healy received the ball from Ricardo Thompson and played a clever pass to release Jack Peters whose low cross towards Splatt was intercepted by Curtis Da Costa who slid in but only succeeded in powering the ball past his own goalkeeper from the six yard line. Will Thomas went into the referee's notebook on the half hour mark for bringing down Isaac Bello on the touchline.

A good cross flashed across the Chichester goal, but there was a brief moment of panic in the home defence when an Ethan Prichard shot ballooned up off Finn O'Mara but not caught by Dan Colmer who then chased after the ball without success and it crossed back into the middle where Joe Clarke headed wide. Whitstable had a great chance to add a second goal in the 43rd minute when O'Mara swung the ball into the box from the halfway line where Peters arrived to meet it by the penalty spot and his volley went over goalkeeper Kieran Magee, but also the bar. There was a delay while Splatt received treatment after heading a towering Colmer clearance and the last action of the half saw a blocked shot fall dangerously into the Whitstable box where it was tidied up by O'Mara and Whitstable led 1-0 at the break.

Chichester made a change at the start of the second half, taking off Da Costa and bringing on Theo Bennetts. There was some early encouragement for the visitors and Bennetts tried an optimistic long range effort that was easily collected by Colmer, then Bello managed to break through, but the Whitstable defenders got back to block at the expense of a corner. The first corner was cleared by Colmer for another and this time Chichester almost found a way through when a headed clearance struck another Whitstable player and the ball dropped kindly for Lloyd Rowlatt whose shot through the crowd was cleared off the line by Healy.

The next few minutes could easily have seen Whitstable through to the next round, as they created several great opportunities to extend their lead. Magee wandered out of his area before passing straight to Healy who tried to find the unguarded net from distance and with Magee struggling to get back, the ball struck Ben Pashley, but the handball appeals were dismissed by referee Nick Dunn. Ryan Davidson was then cautioned for a poor challenge on Day before Splatt was replaced by Jake Abrahams. A Jake McIntyre cross flashed dangerously across the box, then in the 63rd minute Healy clipped the ball over the Chichester defence for Day who timed his run perfectly, but was unable to beat Magee who got down well to make a crucial save and when the ball came out, Peters shot was well blocked by Pashley. Whitstable continued to press and Abrahams made a good run before a clever pass gave Day another chance to beat Magee, but again the goalkeeper got in the way, although this time he needed the help of Bennetts to clear off the line.

Having survived Whitstable's dominant spell, Chichester started to apply some pressure at the other end. They were initially unable to get through some determined defending, but in the 78th minute after a patient build up Clarke passed to Rowlatt who found the far corner of the net with a great strike from 25 yards to make it 1-1. Emmett Dunn bent a shot wide from 20 yards, but Whitstable finished strongly and when Abrahams was brought down by Rob Hutchings just outside the box, McIntyre stepped up to take the free kick, but Magee managed to save and grab at the second attempt. After an delay while Davidson received some treatment Prichard was shown a yellow card, Whitstable had a final chance to win the tie with a 97th minute corner, but the delivery wasn't right and Chichester survived.

The draw means that they must meet again at Oaklands Park, Chichester on Tuesday evening to decide the outcome. Both teams will no doubt keep an eye on Monday's draw to see who they will play in the Third Round Qualifying, should they progress.

Whitstable	Data	Chichester
4	Shots on target	3
3	Shots off target	6
3	Shots blocked	5
7	Corners	8
9	Fouls conceded	4
4	Offside	1
0	Penalties	0

Whitstable Town
Daniel Colmer, Theo Osinfolarin, Jake McIntyre (c), Ricardo Thompson, Finn O’Mara, Will Thomas, Joe Healy (Dean Grant 68), Mikey Dalton, Javaun Splatt (Jake Abrahams 59), Jack Peters (Fin Cotton 90), Ashdon Day.
Subs (unused): Jayden Boulton, Callum Peck, Connor Wilkins, Josh Robson.
Goal: Curtis Da Costa o.g. 20
Yellow cards: Will Thomas 30, Jack Peters 77.

Chichester City
Kieran Magee, Ryan Davidson, Rob Hutchings (c), Joe Moore, Curtis Da Costa (), Ben Pashley, Isaac Bello, Emmett Dunn, Joe Clarke (), Lloyd Rowlatt, Ethan Prichard.
Subs (unused): Henry McDonald, Zach Cahusac, Lewis Rustell, Jamie Horncastle.
Goal: Lloyd Rowlatt 78
Yellow cards: Ryan Davidson 59, Rob Hutchings 90+1, Ethan Prichard 90+4.

Attendance: 702
Referee: Nick Dunn
Assistants: Jack Mottram & Michael Corderoy
Fourth Official: Henry Saxton