Yeovil Town escaped an extraordinary FA Cup upset at Leatherhead after Johl Powell’s late equaliser rescued a 3-3 draw and sent the fourth qualifying-round tie to a replay at Huish Park.
The Glovers appeared to be cruising after Archie Davies and Brett McGavin put them two goals ahead early in the second half. But Leatherhead scored three times in the final 13 minutes and moved in front before Powell struck with a minute of normal time remaining.
The replay will take place at Huish Park on Tuesday night, according to the match report. The draw means Yeovil remain in the competition, but only after coming within minutes of a shock elimination.
Yeovil make strong start at Fetcham Grove
Yeovil named an unchanged starting XI for the third successive match. The only alteration was among the substitutes, with Owen Dean left out after featuring for Farnham Town in earlier rounds of the competition.
The visitors controlled the opening 20 minutes, moving the ball confidently while Leatherhead adopted the approach normally associated with an away side, looking to break quickly.
James Daly went close after eight minutes when his effort struck the side netting. Sixteen minutes later, Daly powered down the left and set up Johl Powell, whose effort was stopped by Leatherhead goalkeeper Sonny Wheeler before Niran Butler cleared.
Leatherhead’s Anas Igozouln offered a threat on the right wing and endured a physical opening. Yeovil captain McGavin was booked in the 25th minute for a challenge on the winger and, according to the report, may have been fortunate not to receive more severe punishment.
The home side created a nervous moment eight minutes before half-time when Tom Dryer broke through the Yeovil defence. Goalkeeper Jos Barker and Jordan Norville-Williams combined to deal with the danger, although Leatherhead recovered the ball and sent a cross across the face of goal.
Yeovil had further control without producing a clear chance beyond Powell’s effort, while Leatherhead also defended well in the closing stages of the half. The teams went into the interval level at 0-0.
Two-goal lead turns into late Leatherhead fightback
Yeovil needed only a minute of the second half to take the lead. A passing move opened the right side for Davies, who finished with a low shot to make it 1-0.
The advantage could have doubled three minutes later. Daly went down inside the penalty area and referee James Durkin awarded a spot-kick, but McGavin’s penalty struck the underside of the crossbar and went away.
McGavin did find the net before the hour. Ryan Jones cut in from the left and appeared ready to shoot before laying the ball back for the captain, who hammered it home to give Yeovil a 2-0 lead.
Yeovil manager Billy Rowley then made four substitutions, bringing on Joe Gubbins, Charlie Lennon, Mason Obeng and Ste Walker. Davies and Obeng both had opportunities to put the result beyond Leatherhead, but neither chance was converted.
Those misses became increasingly important when the hosts began their remarkable recovery. With 13 minutes remaining, Barker came for a free-kick from the right and missed it. The ball was headed back across goal, allowing Lewis Paget to head Leatherhead’s first goal.
Leatherhead immediately raised the pressure, flooding the penalty area. Everitt’s ball was tapped home from close range by captain Mark Waters to make it 2-2.
Barker then produced a significant save to deny Waters, but the Leatherhead captain soon had another opportunity. With three minutes remaining, Waters drove into the box and fired the home side ahead at 3-2.
Powell keeps Yeovil’s FA Cup hopes alive
The turnaround had put Leatherhead on the brink of a giant-killing, with the home team and most of the substitutes celebrating the go-ahead goal. Yeovil, however, pushed forward to avoid becoming the headline of the qualifying round.
With a minute of normal time left, the ball fell to Powell inside the box. He finished to level the match at 3-3 and give Yeovil a route back into the tie.
Both teams had chances to win during the remaining action, but neither found a fourth goal. Instead, the match ended in a draw and will be settled in the replay at Huish Park.
The match was played at Fetcham Grove on Saturday 17 October 2026, with a 3pm kick-off. The attendance was recorded as 2,000, including 400 Yeovil supporters. Conditions were dry and sunny, and the pitch was described as in good condition, with only a slight slope in the goalmouths.