Kings Langley have been rewarded with an FA Cup Second Qualifying Round tie at home to Leiston after dramatically battling back to beat Romford 3-2 to claim their first victory of the season.

Having picked up their first league point of the campaign with a 1-1 draw at Chesham United on Bank Holiday Monday, Kings were heading out at the first hurdle after the visitors had opened up a two-goal lead on Saturday.

But Edu Toiny-Pendred and Harry Crawford, both finally welcomed back after injury, were instrumental in the thrilling comeback as the home side snatched the win in the last minute of normal time.

The Isthmian Division One visitors started with plenty of confidence and the combination of Christian Adu Gyamfi and L’Heureux Menga up front troubled the home defence from the off.

Kings were making plenty of chances at the other end as a Jack Wood looping cross-cum-shot hit the bar, a Kyle Lincoln header was well over and a Yasin Arai shot was well saved, but after 30 minutes Romford stunned the home side with two goals in six minutes.

The first was a powerful header by Gyamfi from a right-wing cross and the second a virtual repeat as the scorer beat Lincoln on the right to send over a cross that the combative Menga dispatched into the net with an equally strong header.

Watford Observer:

Edu Toiny-Pendred (obscured) starts the comeback just before half time

The home fans feared the worst, but there was to be a lifeline as, with virtually the last kick of the half, a right-wing cross caused consternation in the Romford box and a scrimmage of shots and blocks ended with Edu forcing the ball home.

Langley came back out a different proposition as Chris Cummins made two half-time substitutions, bringing on Kyle Connolly and Crawford and Edu immediately entered a personal contest with Brandon Bullman, shooting straight at the keeper, seeing him tip another effort round the post and then have a back-heel dribble agonisingly to the line before being held.

Wood joined in the onslaught, hitting a post and bringing a point-blank save from Bullman, before the visitors broke to see Jesse Olukola fire over when free and Alfie Marriott tip over a Carvell free-kick.

However, the traffic was mainly one way as Crawford grew increasingly influential in the number 10 role and when Romford upped the physicality to protect their lead Usoman Tunkara was sent off for a second yellow in the 77th minute.

Watford Observer:

Substitute Harry Crawford heads in the equaliser

There was another fine save from the keeper from a Roddy Collins header, bur he could do nothing about an unorthodox cross from Edu, short and high, that was converted at the far post by Crawford.

The last ten minutes saw Romford defend doggedly and there was one minute of the 90 left when Edu delivered a perfect through ball to Crawford, who blasted home after an initial part block by the valiant Bullman, to complete the dramatic comeback.

Watford Observer:

Crawford fires in the winner

Kings will face their Southern League Premier Central in the second qualifying round on Saturday, September 18, but before then the focus returns to the league with a home game against Salisbury this weekend prior to a midweek trip to Hayes & Yeading United.