Hebburn Town manager Kevin Bolam reacts after dramatic FA Vase win

The two sides could not be separated after an action-packing opening 45 minutes on a rain-sodden pitch at the Green Energy Sports Ground as Ryan Carr cancelled out an opener from Hornets captain Louis Storey.

Two goals in the opening 15 minutes of the second-half from Hebburn duo Michael Richardson and Graeme Armstrong put their side in control of an intriguing contest.

But they were made to sweat after former Newcastle United academy winger Callum Smith got the visitors back into the game with nine minutes remaining.

The Robins – Vase winners in 2015 – pressed forward in search of an equaliser and came close in injury-time when top goalscorer Dan Wilson sent a diving header narrowly wide of the far post.

But it is the Hornets that will entertain Vauxhall Motors in the third round after they saw out five minutes of added-on time.

Bolam insisted that his side deserved to claim a win against their in-form visitors and quickly turned his attention to next weekend’s tie against the North West Counties League club.

He told The Gazette: “For us and North Shields to be put together in the competition was unfortunate because it was a game between two very good sides and I am sure it would have made a very good final.

“I think we just about shaded it and we know we have come through a massive game.

“I think what stood us in good stead was the fact that our first game after the last lockdown was the Vase semi-final.

“That meant we had to hit the ground running in a big game and, although this was only the second round, we knew North Shields were going to be a tough side to beat.”

Bolam also had words of praise for all three of the Hornets goalscorers after Armstrong, Storey and Richardson found the net to help their side into the next round.

“The likes of Graeme Armstrong, Louis Storey and Michael Richardson have been there and done it, and they have done it again today."