It was honours even with plenty to play for in the replay as hosts Northwood played out an entertaining goalless draw with near-neighbours Kings Langley in the FA Cup First Qualifying round on Saturday in front of an excellent crowd of 229.

Tomorrow night’s replay has a lot to live up to as both sides continue to hunt the £6,000 in prize money and the opportunity to host either Farnborough or Lewes in the Second Qualifying round on Saturday, September 22.

It was a performance that left Woods manager Dean Barker full of pride, fresh from watching his young squad match a step three Kings side stride for stride on the day Ben Pattie won the FA’s goal of the round for his 40-yard half-volley in the win against Longlevens a fortnight earlier.

Indeed, it was a game that ebbed and flowed and was not short of talking points come its conclusion with both sides probably emerging with the sense they had done enough to win, but equally relieved they didn’t lose the match either.

“Probably in the end both teams thought they could have won it,” Barker said. “We’re really pleased with what we’ve done today, we’ve worked hard this week in training on Tuesday and Thursday to set us up a certain way and second half I thought we were the better side.

“It’s going to be an exciting game on Tuesday and both teams are in the hat, so it’s all positive.”

Barker’s decision to insert player-head coach Ben Andreos – a striker by trade – in at centre-half to match the physicality of the experienced Rene Howe was, for the most part, an astute move, bringing a calming influence to a young defence and helping the Woods notch their first clean sheet of the season.

“We sent someone over to watch Kings Langley [play Welwyn Garden City] on Tuesday and Rene Howe’s a good player, he’s been in the Football League and scores a lot of goals, so that was the thinking today for Ben to match him up physically and I thought Ben did well.

“I don’t think he [Howe] had many chances but you can tell that if you give him a bit of space he can cause you some problems, so we’ll have to watch him again on Tuesday, but we’ll go there positive and with maybe one or two changes depending on who comes through fit or not.”

Northwood had to survive some early scares as Kings, who play one division above their hosts, showed their experience early on and threatened to run away with the contest.

But the Woods gradually settled, found their shape and their confidence only grew from then on out.

Barring a couple of heart-in-mouth moments, including an effort that might have crossed the line in the first half, a Callum Adebiyi header that smacked against the bar on the stroke of half-time, and a last-ditch tackle at the end to deny former Watford defender Jorell Johnson, Northwood more than held their own.

There were even grounds to suggest Northwood had the better of things in the second half, even if Kings created more chances of their own making.

The Woods struck the woodwork twice and had their Hertfordshire visitors on the ropes for a time, particularly when Miguel De Lopes Matos’ low cross was directed onto his own post by Johnson with goalkeeper Steve Bourke well and truly beaten.

In the end, though, both sides must go again tomorrow evening at Gaywood Park in what is sure to be another occasion to look forward to.

“I’m really proud of everyone involved,” Barker said. “To play a step three team and probably be the better team second half was pleasing and even though it was 0-0 it must have been an exciting game to watch.

“From a manager’s point of view, all you can ask is 100 per cent and the boys definitely gave me that.

“We went for it at the end – could have lost it, could have won it – but we’re still in the hat and we look forward to Tuesday.”