Hinckley bowed out of the FA Vase with an early free kick the only difference between them and Leicester Road.
Depleted Hinckley remained without a number of players through injury but even so, there was little to choose between the teams. Leicester Road had a lot of possession in the first half without creating much whilst Hinckley were a much improved side after the break, but the equaliser proved elusive.
The crucial moment of the game came inside the opening ten minutes. Leicester Road were awarded a soft free kick 25 yards from goal and Danny Jenno’s shot had enough power to beat Matt Hill and nestle in the net.
The first half was a somewhat subdued affair. The home side retained the ball for long spells but AFC kept their shape well and chances at either end were scarce.
Courtney Belford took a risk at half time on the fitness of Isa Abraham and the gamble appeared to pay off. His pace and trickery injected a fresh attacking dimension into Hinckley who saw sight of goal on the hour when Jeremie Agholor beat the offside trap and raced goalwards only for home keeper Will Highland to race from his line to block.
Highland also had to tip over Tom Weale’s goalbound cross-shot as Hinckley tried to force the issue.
Abraham couldn’t continue though and had to be replaced, but still AFC fought to get level.
Clear cut chances were again at a premium but Hinckley fashioned one late on. Jack Edwards lost his marker to meet Ryan Slinn’s deep corner but he couldn’t direct his header on target and Hinckley’s final chance was gone.
Late on, the home side were reduced to ten men when Nathan Astill was sent off for a late lunge on Slinn but there wasn’t enough time remaining to make the extra man count and it wasn’t to be Hinckley’s day.
Leics Rd: Will Highland, Jarred Acton, Callum Earls, Ben Humphreys, Danny Jenno, Nathan Astill, Simon Alcott (Matt Langham 85), Joe Lyne, Jake Brown (Tom Smith 62), Dominic Brennan, Liam Read. Subs not used: Jack Beasley, Jordan Burrows, Lewis Jones.
Hinckley: Matt Hill, Drew Kear, Callum Martin, Jack Edwards, Brandon Hallmark, Jacob Sturgess, Jeremie Agholor, Tom Weale (Joel Heeley 75), Kai Gibbs (Isa Abraham 45 (Lewis Padmore 70)), Ryan Slinn, Charlie Evans. Subs not used: Adam Barber, Sam Chalkley
Attendance: 242
