After nearly four months Paul Barnes' Lobsters were finally back in competitive action yesterday with a tricky FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round tie at Southall, a team now in a league above Redhill after being promoted to the Isthmian League's South Central Division at the end of last season.

But the Lobsters - in their new away strip of yellow shirts and black shorts and featuring several new players from clubs like Chertsey Town, Corinthian-Casuals and Merstham - more than held their own in the first half at a baking Robert Parker Stadium. In fact we were inches away from taking the lead on 23 minutes as Carl Oblitey's low shot sped past 'keeper Edegbe's right-hand post.

In the minutes leading up to the break Redhill's Jason Kaate was clearly impeded as he moved in for a header right in front of goal and an Oblitey volley, slightly less accurate than his previous effort, almost hit the fuel depot way back behind the goal. For the home side O'Connor, in space at the far post, headed over from a corner when it looked easier to score.

Robust tackles by Southall's Dailey and Stead resulted in yellow cards as the battle continued in the tiring heat. O'Connor and Henneghan missed good chances as the hosts quicky broke forward but Oblitey nearly won it for Redhill in stoppage time with a flicked header that beat Edegbe but was cleared off the line by a defender.

So the Reds are still on the Cup trail after reaching the Third Round Qualifying last season and we now have a replay at the Brow to look forward to on Tuesday evening.