Tom Friend's first-half goal was cancelled out inside 60 seconds, but Barry Shearsby's men held on despite having the striker sent off 15 minutes from time in front of a crowd of 247 at Banbury Road.

If anything they looked the stronger side in the closing stages of the tie, the biggest in the club's 100-year history.

Saints, unbeaten in five Midland Combination Premier Division games this season, struggled to make an early impact against their visitors, who play two levels higher in Southern League Division One Midlands.

Adders dominated the early possession, but number nine Luke Barlone wasted a couple of early half-chances and a string of corners came to nothing as Saints defended well.

Friend was set free by James Graham, but scooped his shot over the crossbar. With chances at a premium, Saints would have to do better - and they did.

Graham and Stef Jones combined well to send Friend in again on 39 minutes and this time he beat Richard Williams with a low shot. The keeper might have done better, although the lead was deserved.

It was short-lived too. Straight from the re-start Atherstone poured forward and Ashley Wells fed Barlone for the equaliser. Keeper Ollie Manuel was furious with his defenders.

Atherstone replaced Barlone with Lee Greenway at half-time and never looked as dangerous again. They won corner after corner, only to see the ball cleared time and time again.

Saints grew in confidence, with Chris Hanrahan increasingly assertive in midfield. Friend only just failed to connect with a dangerous cross from his number seven and substitute Dan Pirvu forced Williams to save at his feet.

The combative Friend had been booked for a foul in the Adders' box soon after the re-start. He was off when a second followed for an indiscretion in midfield on 74 minutes.

That might have handed the initiative to the visitors, but Southam did just as well with ten men, holding out in relative comfort to earn a deserved replay at Sheepy Road on Tuesday (7.45pm).

Southam United: Ollie Manuel, Rich Kay, Lee Scott, Andy McKinley, Si Proctor, Ian Williams (capt] (Danny Adams 76), Chris Hanrahan, Kev McGarvey (Dan Pirvu 67), Tom Friend, James Graham (Alex Unitt 89), Stef Jones. Subs not used: Neale Perry, Sushi Thind, Jag Bahi, Chris Turner.