AN INCREDIBLE sporting gesture by Chester-le-Street Town keeper Ian Aitken stole the limelight in Harrogate Railway's thrilling 5-5 draw in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup.

The Northern League outfit, already leading through Andy Blower, doubled their advantage when Steve Leadbitter fired a drop ball into the top corner when attempt to pass the ball back to Rail 'keeper Ed Neale.

Aitken attempted to make amends for the goal by smashing the ball into his own net after the ball had bobbled to him from Steve Davey's run straight from the restart.

And the gesture looked to be a huge mistake as the Railwaymen steamed into a 5-2 lead after just half hour.

Jimmy Gore struck a 25 yard volley to level matters, James McDaid fired home at the back post, centre-half Nige Danby hit a 30-yard volley and Kev Smith beat two defenders and the keeper to net the fifth.

Thoughts of a Rail goal glut quickly evaporated as Street hit back through Blower to reduce the arrears to 5-3 at the break.

And after half-time Turner and Andison both netted to set up a replay at Station View tonight (kick-off 7.45pm).

However, Rail will be without leading goal-scorer Davey after he broke his jaw yesterday in a freak accident while moving house. Davey, who is in York Hospital, has been told not to play for six weeks, so Mattie Flynn will start with Ian Harte added to the squad.

Updated: 11:20 Monday, September 30, 2002