With the distraction of an FA Cup Third Round Replay against Manchester United looming, they might have been forgiven for taking their eye off the ball after missing an early penalty and falling 2-0 behind to Billericay a minute into the second half at Blunts Wall Road.

But a tie Justin Edinburgh’s impressive Ryman League outfit seemed to be coasting through was turned on its head with Exeter's introduction of Sean Devine in the dying minutes.

Devine gave notice of what was to come when he came close within a minute of coming on, flashing a shot over the bar from 10 yards.

With just six minutes left on the clock, Exeter pressed forward and Jake Edwards (below) poked in Santos Gaia’s knock-down.

It was left to Devine to ram in an equaliser a minute later in front of 44 ecstatic away supporters.

Manager Alex Inglethorpe was thrilled with the fight-back after taking a leaf out of Sir Alex Ferguson’s book and resting five senior players for this clash.

"Billericay may be two leagues below us but they played really well," he said.

"We were on the back foot for long periods. But the spirit in this team is something. There was always the chance of an anti-climax here. It’s a little different playing in front of a crowd of 1,400 compared with 67,000 at Old Trafford.

"They are a professional outfit and did the business again today."

Amongst the shocks of the Third Round was Nationwide North strugglers Barrow’s 2-1 win over Conference high-flyers Scarborough.

Launching smash-and-grab raids at the start of each half, Barrow went 2-0 up through Neil Tarrant and Gavin Knight. But Scarborough hit back immediately through Senior and Barrow were put under further pressure when Karl Colley was sent off for a second bookable offence with 15 minutes left.

Surprisingly, Scarborough were unable to take advantage and Barrow held on with something to spare.

Forest Green Rovers were upset at home by Southern League Premier Aylesbury United who took their chances in a 2-1 win. Goals from Dean Cracknell and Leon Gutzmore on the break proved the difference as Rovers squandered possession and only an own goal from Dean Powles got them on the scoresheet.

Struggling Northwich Victoria got the better of in-form Halifax in an all-Conference battle, soaking up considerable pressure before rubbing salt into the wound with a 79th- minute winner. It was former Halifax man Johnny Allen (above) who notched the winner against his old club.

Less unexpected was Nationwide North Altrincham’s 2-1 win at Conference National basement club Leigh RMI, with Leigh only able to manage a 90th minute consolation through debutant Michael Reed, after Mark Maddox and Colin Hill had put Altrincham beyond reach.

Eastwood Town of Unibond Division 1 reached the Fourth Round for the first time in their history when they upset Spennymoor United of the Unibond Premier 3-2.

Ahead 2-0 with goals from Peter Knox and Gary Sucharewycz, they were in danger of throwing it all away as Spenymoor scored twice in two minutes through Raw and Oliver.

But instead of wilting, Eastwood piled forward and were rewarded in the 75th minute when Kelvin Mushambi slid in the winner.

Trophy favourites Barnet swept Farnborough Town aside, the 1-0 scoreline in no measure reflecting their dominance, while holders Hednesford Town had Lee Barrow to thank for their 1-0 victory over dangerous Worcester City.

Last season’s losing finalists Canvey Island despatched plucky Bath City 3-0, while Tamworth and Cambridge City  hit five as they romped to easy wins.