The OHAFC 1st XI went into Saturday's Arthur Dunn Cup 1st Round tie at home to Division Two leaders the Old Alleynians with confidence buoyed following two strong League wins over Aldenham and Wellington with an impressive goal tally of ten scored and none conceded.

Skipper Yunus Sert and his players were under no illusions as to the tough nature of the test ahead however: Alleynians had already beaten the OHAFC 2s twice in the League this season, an opening day 6-0 thrashing on the Harrow School astroturf particularly impressive.

Disappointingly, availability for the tie was mixed with leading scorer James Breeden sitting a rather inconveniently scheduled exam and another forward, Will Bamford, out injured. In came Jess Duah, who performed so creditably for the side last season, and Ciaran Jordan kept his place at right-back, vice-captain Fred Richardson forced into left-back. The subs bench consisted, slightly worryingly, of just centre-half Kyle Barrett and goalkeeper Emre Sert.

As predicted, Storm Brian arrived in London shortly before the 1pm kick-off, bringing with it a strong wind blowing diagonally across the slightly heavy pitch. The hosts played into the gale in the first half and, unsurprisingly, struggled to make much headway initially. Alleynians' interchanging midfield trio caused plenty of problems and the visitors looked much the sharper team. They took a deserved early lead thanks to a neat move down their right flank that ended with the overlapping right-back crossing into the rangy striker to beat McGuinness with a first-time finish.

Despite this shock start, the hosts managed too regroup and slowly forced their way back into the game, enjoying more possession and finally getting to grips with the Alleynians midfield. Centre-half Ed Poulter was enjoying partocular success with direct balls over the top for Alex Gilbert to run onto, the striker enjoying the better of the physical battle with his opposite man.

Despite their increasing confidence, the hosts struggled to create many clear-cut chances, with a number of corners all swirling away from Harrow heads. Gilbert fired narrowly wide after Alex Breeden had chested the ball into his path and Adejokun and Duah were both seeing plenty of the ball out wide, but again to little effect.

The change of ends at half-time brought some much needed respite from the wind for the Blues and they immediately set about turning the screw, Ciaran Jordan and Adejokun looking particularly threatening down the right-hand side. The midfield trio of Alex Breeden, Robinson and Hill were dominant and all tried their luck from distance.

But it was striker Gilbert who again had the best chances to draw the sides level, seeing one left-foot effort rise over the bar and a one-on-one thwarted by a last-ditch challenge.

Harrow heads remained high and, just as in the League win over Wellington the week before, the side was rewarded for their endeavours with a crucial goal with a quarter of an hour remaining. Skipper Yunus Sert played a perfectly-weighted ball over the top for Alex Breeden to run onto and the midfielder controlled the ball superbly before showing good composure to find the bottom corner with his shot.

As normal time drew to a close the hosts threw everything forwards, sending a number of balls into the Alleynians box but without reward. For the first time since a 3-1 second round win over Westminsters in December 2015, an OHAFC Dunn Cup tie would go to extra-time.

Both sides understandably tired during the additional half hour, with the strong wind and heavy pitch taking their toll. Kyle Barrett replaced Jesse Duah, who had run himself to a standstill, a tight hamstring not helping him. The hosts again managed to force some half chances, with slightly heavy touches inside the box allowing the Alleynians goalkeeper to dive bravely and snuff out the chances.

At the other end Alleynians broke sporadically and also created a couple of dangerous situations but thankfully the Harrow back four remained resolute.

Neither side could force the winner and the final whistle signalled a first Dunn Cup replay for the OHAFC in living memory, the tie to be played in a fortnight's time at Dulwich College Sports Club. Both sides will feel they have an excellent chance to progress.