Famed English FA Cup fighters Wrexham are on the march again after another battling performance - and a slice of good fortune right at the death - earned them a third-round replay with Wimbledon back at their Racecourse Ground HQ.

They will be bullish about inflicting more embarrassment on London's Premiership elite after today's battling performance, although the reward for next week's winners (away to either Bournemouth or Huddersfield) is neither the glamour tie nor the easy ride to the fifth round they would have wished. In the mud and rain of soggy Selhurst Park, Wrexham responded to the support of 2,000 voices - almost one-third of the crowd - and were the more likely winners.

Their hearts must have missed a beat, though, when Marcus Gayle headed what looked like an injury time winner for Wimbledon until referee Steve Dunn indicated he had blown the full-time whistle as Neal Ardley sent over a corner kick.

It was a replica of the famous occasion in the 1978 World Cup when another Welshman, referee Clive Thomas ruled out a goal in the Brazil v Sweden match because he had blown the half-time whistle.

Wimbledon will ask the English FA to replace referee Dunn for the replay. A furious Joe Kinnear said: "This is just another referee trying to get a little bit of notoriety. When Neal Ardley went to take the corner he told my players there were two minutes left. Then he blew as the ball hit Marcus Gayle's head.

"It must have been the shortest two minutes ever. How can you blow up when the ball is in midair like that?"

But how Wrexham deserved that last stroke of fortune.

They gave notice of their intentions when they almost made a sensational start inside the first 20 seconds.

Karl Connolly moved unchallenged on to a long clearance from goalkeeper Andy Marriott and curled a left-foot shot from 25 yards which beat Neil Sullivan but struck the Wimbledon crossbar.

The Welshmen had the final say, too - save that crucial intervention from the full-time whistle - when full-back Brian McGregor got back beneath his own crossbar to head clear an immaculate Michael Hughes lob which looked like settling the tie.

Wrexham, conquerors of West Ham and Arsenal in the 90s and with only one defeat in 19 games stretching back to October, had the better of a first half ruined by gale force winds and torrential rain.

Wimbledon began the game without Vinnie Jones, who has been struggling with a knee problem and was named among the substitutes. Their side was further weakened after 23 minutes when England Under-21 defender Ben Thatcher fell awkwardly in a tackle on Neil Roberts and was carried off on a stretcher with a leg injury.

Jones made a delayed entry as a second-half substitute for Norwegian midfielder Staale Solbakken.

Facing the gale, Wrexham found life tough after the break, but Cort wasted a good chance for Wimbledon five minutes into the second half when he twisted between McGregor and David Ridler but dragged his shot wide with only Marriott to beat.

Connolly blazed over after Sullivan, Wimbledon's Scottish international goalkeeper, failed to hold on to a Peter Ward corner. At the other end, Ardley curled a freekick just past the post, with Marriott nowhere.

Marriott's handling was secure moments later, however, when Earle's powerful header from Ardley's corner took a wicked deflection off Cort's ear as the Wimbledon striker unsighted the Welsh goalkeeper.

Jones, becoming increasingly frustrated at his side's lack of penetration, survived two deliberate handballs before finding his way into referee Dunn's notebook for a reckless challenge on Ward.

Robbie Earle was another, though, who had a chance to win the game with eight minutes remaining when he surged into the penalty area. But, jostled by the admirable Carey, he scuffed his shot.

Wimbledon: Sullivan, Cunningham, Kimble, Thatcher (Clarke 24), C Hughes, Earle, Solbakken (Jones 46), Perry, M. Hughes, Ardley, Cort (Gayle 75). Subs Not Used: Heald, Reeves. Booked: C Hughes, Jones.

Wrexham: Marriott, McGregor, Hardy, Russell, Ridler, Carey, Skinner, Owen, Connolly, Roberts (Spink 65), Ward. Subs Not Used: Brace, Cartwright, Brammer, Wainwright. Booked: Ridler.

Referee: S W Dunn (Bristol).