County's first visit to Hellenic League North Leigh had all the ingredients of a classic FA Cup encounter, with the host side three leagues below their visitors and a tree-lined ground accommodating a record attendance.

The hospitality was excellent from the home officials and volunteers, and the sheep grazing in the fields behind the goal at the bottom of the slope provided a rural backdrop.

Fans travel to these games anticipating one of two outcomes; either the Minnows succeeding in providing local folklore, with stories to be told for generations to come, or the natural order prevailing.

In a game as drab as the grey Oxfordshire skies, Saturday's third qualifying round tie provided neither, as County were scarcely threatened with an upset, but they could not break down a resolute home side who kept eight players behind the ball and set out their stall to protect their goal.

The home side will doubtless be delighted with the outcome, on and off the field, as they look forward to Wednesday's replay at Newport Stadium, and another big pay-day for them.

The pitch-side barbecue kept the hungry hordes satisfied, though if County make their expected progress in two days' time, this encounter will not live in the memory.

But while there was little to enthuse the 300 County fans present, manager John Cornforth at least had reasons to be cheerful.

The newly appointed boss had worked hard in training on getting his side to retain possession, especially after the previous week's away game against Margate, when the ball was handled like a grenade, but on Saturday his advice might have been taken too literally.

County's game probably would have paid dividends on a better pitch against a side prepared to commit players forward. However, in this match they were elaborate in their attacks and could not pull their opponents out of position.

Even on a playing surface that had suffered a battering from the elements, County gave an exhibition in keeping the ball, and Cornforth was keen to praise the positive aspects of his team's display.

"We are nowhere near the finished article, and can improve tenfold, but this was 100 per cent better than our previous performance.

"I was pleased with the effort and attitude of my players, who took on board what we had been working on in training.

"Full credit to North Leigh, who worked extremely hard, but we got in behind them several times in wide positions, and we just needed someone to come out of the pile, move across his marker, and score us a goal."

North Leigh's attacking hopes rested mainly on the huge kicks of 'keeper Alan Foster, especially in the second half when they were playing down the steep slope, but Darren Jones and Scott Morgan dealt with everything with ease and quality, ensuring that Roger Freestone was well protected.

Gethyn Jones was the pick of County's midfield, working tirelessly throughout, and Jason Bowen, though double-banked with markers, did his best to unlock the home defence, and delivered a series of crosses, but County again missed ankle-injury victim Nathan Davies, who is so important to their midfield play.

Carl Wilson-Denis found it difficult to keep his seat and was occasionally on the receiving end of some robust challenges that resulted in cautions for two home players, and Cornforth may prefer the option of teenage forward John Phillips alongside Jamie Moralee for the rematch.

Phillips has quick feet, and after his introduction as substitute, produced County's best move of the match five minutes from time, when his pace and skill on the left set up a shooting chance for Gethyn Jones.

The effort was blocked, and though Bowen pounced on the rebound, the former Welsh international was again outnumbered by home defenders.

The lack of attacking ambition from North Leigh allowed Darren Jones to regularly move into advanced positions, and the defender was unlucky when his 40th-minute shot bounced off the crossbar.

But neither 'keeper was seriously tested and the replay will present different challenges to both sides in a contrasting setting.

North Leigh: Foster, Murphy, Grant, Maisey, Huxley, Burnell, Hope (Ellis 81), Hughes (Jackson 79), Wyatt (Burnley 87), Hamp, McCabe. Subs not used: Lewis, Forrester. Cautions: Murphy, (44 foul), Hughes (55 foul), McCabe (62 failed to retreat at free kick).

County: Freestone, Aherne-Evans, L Phillips, G Jones, D Jones, Morgan, Bowen, Williams, Moralee, Wilson-Denis, (J Phillips 68), Coates. Subs not used: Griffiths, Passmore, Thomas, Blackburn. Ref: Martin Cassidy (Weston). Attendance 426.