ONE of the biggest crowds for years is expected at Stonebridge Road tonight for Gravesend & Northfleet's FA Cup, 4th qualifying round, replay against Exeter.

The prize for the winners will be a trip to Chester in the first round proper on Saturday, November 8.

In Saturday's 0-0 draw at Exeter, Fleet did most of the running and defended stoutly. The under-strength Grecians looked toothless without top striker Sean Devine (stomach), yet Andy Ford’s men could not beat them as they did 2-1 in the league in September.

Fleet started the better of the two sides, with Ben Abbey firing just over with a ferocious shot and Rob Haworth almost finding a way through in the opening minutes.

The home side looked weary from the start and Justin Skinner almost embarrassed the City defence with a shot that went just wide from 30-yards.

Exeter began to attack with Steve Flack in the thick of three moves, all of which came to nothing.

Winger Barry McConnell went close with a header as City began to get a grip on the game and Dwane Lee and Sean Canham both should have done better than to fire the ball straight into the arms of Alex O’Reilly.

At the other end, Abbey was a continual nuisance and he set up Haworth, who was unlucky to see his shot sneak the wrong side of the post, before seeing a fine shot of his own deflected wide.

Martin Rice in the City goal saved brilliantly from Ben Walshe to make sure his team are still in with a chance of progressing and playing Chester away in the next round.

And Fleet have the crossbar to thank for not going out, the woodwork coming to the rescue in the dying minutes from Gareth Sheldon’s glanced header.