WORCESTER City’s FA Cup dream is still alive but they could have made life so much easier for themselves.

After dominating the first-half at the New Windmill Ground, the visitors only had Nick Wright’s deflected 18th-minute goal to show for another excellent 45 minutes of football.

But, as has happened already this season, they were made to pay for not finishing off a team when they had them on the ropes.

Rejuvenated, and no doubt with the words of boss Paul Holleran ringing in their ears, Leamington came back in the second period and earned a replay with Dan Newton’s 52nd-minute volley.

Both sides had opportunities to win the contest after that — Wright’s fierce drive being turned over by Neil Collett late on and Richard Batchelor planted a diving header the wrong side of the post with the goal gaping moments later.

But it needn’t have got to that stage following City’s first-half display and it is because of their failure to add to their tally before the break that they face a replay on Tuesday night rather than looking forward to the fourth qualifying round.

While it is hard to criticise a team that works the ball as neatly as Carl Heeley’s men have time this term, it is frustrating when such profligacy continues to bite them.

A second goal before the break may well have been enough to dash Leamington’s hopes as it would have forced the hosts to increasingly roll the dice and leave gaps.

As it was, the Brakes regrouped at half-time and made sure they landed the first blow after the restart, undoing Worcester’s hard work.

Which is undoubtedly what it had been. To a man, they were first to every ball and were quick to win it back when possession was lost.

The visitors controlled the midfield, with returning skipper Ellis Deeney, Danny Jackman and Connor Gater comfortable on the ball.

Down the flanks, full-backs Tyler Weir and, in particular, George Williams, continually broke with menace, safe in the knowledge that Graham Hutchison and Jacob Rowe would tidy up behind.

Wright may not have provided the hold-up play of the injured Mike Symons but he was a tricky customer and, while the deflection for his goal was fortunate, the way he worked the ball on to his left foot following Daniel Nti’s pass inside was anything but.

The striker was also denied twice more by Collett, who also saved efforts from Deeney and Gater, while Rowe headed over from Jackman’s cross.

Before the frantic finale, there were more chances, with Jamie Tank hacking off the line after Collett had spilled Williams’ shot.

In the end it was a deserved draw for Worcester but it could have been much more.