Ebbsfleet United 2-3 AFC Wimbledon

Sammy Moore single-handedly kept AFC Wimbledon alive and kicking in the FA Cup – and pocketed the club a cheque for £100,000 in the process.

The midfielder was the last-minute hero twice in one night on an evening of high drama and fine lines at Stonebridge Road.

It looked for a long time that ITV would be left with egg on their faces. They selected next Saturday's tie the moment an AFC Wimbledon v MK Dons clash looked a real possibility.

But with Milton Keynes removed by Stevenage on Tuesday night, Ebbsfleet seemed sure to totally pull ITV's plans to pieces.

Yet 2-1 down five minutes into stoppage time, Moore kept up Wimbledon's part of the bargain – even if their foes they call the Franchise didn't.

Moore levelled to take the game into extra time and up he popped again with the seconds ticking down to make sure the Dons take home £18,000 in prize money, a £67,000 broadcast fee and their share of the gate receipts from that home game with Stevenage next Saturday.

Manager Terry Brown said: “It was quite a night and a game I would describe as a classic FA Cup tie. ESPN must have been delighted they picked the match for live coverage.

“I actually had words with Sammy (Moore) at half-time. He wasn't doing enough but he has dug us out of a hole tonight and his two goals could not have come at better times.

“We knew what was on offer in the next round. It's big money for a TV game and that is so vital to a club like Wimbledon. I can't question our character.”

When the Blue Square Bet Premier leaders took the lead eight minutes in, it looked like there may be no need for the late drama.

Ryan Jackson's right-wing cross was nodded back across goal by Rashid Yussuff and Mark Nwokeji was alert to plant the ball into the bottom corner.

But Andre Blackman was clumsy moments later, bringing down Tom Phipp in the box and Ashley Carew converted the penalty.

Wimbledon were making mistakes and when Sammy Moore lost concentration in his own box, Carew shook Stonebridge Road with a fine drive to turn the game on its head.

Brown got his half-time change spot on when he hauled off defender Fraser Franks for the fit again Brett Johnson and it was another sub – Luke Moore – that finally unlocked the Conference South side late on.

His cross was inviting and Moore arrived on the scene and connected to put the ball in Preston Edwards' bottom left-hand corner to force extra-time when hope looked lost.

He did just that again half an hour later with the home side begging for an offside flag that didn't arrive. Moore stayed onside to bank his club six figures and book the showpiece slot on the box next Saturday lunchtime.

Not the game the TV execs wanted, of course. But the fans couldn't have wished for the past few days to have gone better.

Distraught Fleet boss Liam Daish said: “To be undone like that twice so late is devastating but that's football I suppose.

“I can’t be bitter because the lads gave me everything. I’m disappointed they haven’t progressed because they deserve to be in the next round.”