George spares Walsall blushes
George Bowerman's late equaliser rescued Walsall's FA Cup hopes as they were given a scare by non league Lincoln in a 1-1 draw at Sincil Bank.
The striker struck in the 85th minute after Jamie Taylor's impudent first-half chip looked set to send the Imps through to the second round.
Alan Power struck the bar for the hosts while Walsall offered little before Bowerman's seventh goal of the season spared the League One side's blushes.
The hosts recalled Gary Mills and Peter Gilbert while Walsall were robbed of Stoke loanee Florent Cuvelier - out with a hamstring injury - but recalled Bowerman.
Dean Holden whistled an effort just over for Walsall after 12 minutes before Lincoln began to threaten and Power thumped the bar from 15 yards and Mills' follow-up was turned wide by David Grof.
But Taylor capped an otherwise forgettable first half when he delightfully chipped over Grof from an angle in stoppage time to fire the Imps ahead.
The brave Blue Square Premier hosts deserved their lead and Grof's smart stop denied Taylor a second 11 minutes after the break.
Wretched Walsall failed to test Paul Farman until Bowerman's smart header - from Richard Taundry's throw - forced a replay.
Jake Sheridan could have won it for Lincoln late on but fired wide in stoppage time.
Source: PA
Source: PA