The easy way is not the Romford way, as these ninety minutes proved. Reduced to ten men after four minutes and a goal down after ten minutes, Boro twice fought back to level the scores and will go to Lincoln next Saturday all square and with a fighting chance of reaching Wembley.

Boro’s start could not have been worse. Kris Newby’s challenge on Tobias Liverside did not initially seem to unduly concern referee Alan Dale, but after brief pause, he concluded it worthy of a red card. Lincoln then had a sight of goal with Liverside – no worse for wear from the earlier challenge – fired in a shot that Jake Anderson turned round the post for a corner.

Worse was to follow Newby’s red card, unfortunately. After just nine minutes Darren Phillips ran into Lincoln forward Jake Park with the ball seemingly about to roll harmlessly away for a goal kick and Mr Dale pointed to the spot. Jake Anderson went the right way for Matthew Cotton’s penalty but the ball nestled in the bottom corner.

Two Sam Deering corners gave Romford opportunities: One found Darren Phillips whose shot was cleared off the line and a second was met by a glancing header by Hassan Nalbant that went straight across goal and off for a goal kick.

Yet another Deering corner went all the way across goal without a touch from a player on either side, but other than these chances, Romford were limited to ineffective long balls as Lincoln pressed hard and dominated in midfield.

Michael Bakare made way for Ash Siddik after 38 minutes as Boro looked to address their numerical disadvantage with an additional body in midfield and Siddik put in a fine performance that culminated in his injury time goal that earned Boro their draw.

The half ended with a booking for Lincoln’s Leo Priestley for hauling back Sam Deering and in stoppage time Siddik’s chip into the box was met by Nalbant with his head but he could only put a very difficult chance wide.

Lincoln had a chance to double their lead in the first minute of the second half but Darren Phillips cleared the danger as Park ran onto a long ball and after 52 minutes Liverside’s run ended with his shot deflected behind for a corner. Just sixty seconds later another chance for Lincoln forced Anderson into a rare save as Elliott Dye met a left wing cross with a downward header.

Romford then created some chances of their own. Hassan Nalbant had a low shot that Jack Steggles in the visitors’ goal chose to kick away from by his right hand post and Siddick and Morris set up a chance for Adalberto Pinto, whose shot drifted just wide.

Boro’s endeavour was rewarded after 57 minutes with a cracking goal. Sam Deering floated the ball into the box and Finlay Dorrell powered a volley past Steggles. Darren Phillips then flicked the ball over the bar from Deering’s corner and there then followed a lengthy delay while Deering received treatment. Deering probably broke all records by having to leave the field three times after receiving treatment for a foul for which none of the offenders were cautioned.

Just sixty seconds were left on the clock and it seemed that Lincoln would break Romford hearts when they scored a second. Matthew Park broke on the right and although Luke Foster got across to block his shot, the ball ran loose to Elliott Dye and he tapped the ball over the line.

This game had a final twist, however. No one could fault Boro for their desire and effort on the day and in the third of nine added minutes Ash Siddik got the goal his work deserved. Charlie Morris lofted the ball in from the left, Hassan Nalbant got up to head across to the far post where Lincoln defender Evan Payne’s clearance cannoned off Siddik’s chest and into the net to spark wild celebrations.

A draw was the least that Boro deserved and keeps the dream of trip to Wembley alive.

Romford: Jake Anderson, Junior Luke (Danny Hurford, 72m), Charlie Morris, Kris Newby, Darren Phillips, Daniel Nakipov-Getmansky, Adalberto Pinto, Sam Derring, Hassan Nalbant, Michael Bakare (Ash Siddik, 38m), Finlay Dorrell (Luke Foster, 70m). [i] Unused subs: Jacob Wiggins, Toheeb Elegushi, Mike Faulkner, Jaiden Babalola.