Forest Green Rovers could be handed the chance to avenge last season’s dramatic FA Cup defeat by Luton Town, but they must first overcome Chesham United in a replay on Tuesday night.

The potential first-round rematch would come less than a year after Rovers produced a remarkable fightback at Kenilworth Road, only to lose 4-3 to the League One side in stoppage time.

Rovers face Chesham before possible Luton rematch

The draw has placed Luton Town against either Chesham United or Forest Green Rovers. That means Rovers will need to win at home in Tuesday night’s replay before they can earn another meeting with the Hatters.

All first-round ties are scheduled to be played on Saturday, November 7. The winners will receive £47,750 in prize money, while losing teams will collect £15,800.

For Forest Green, the route to the first round follows a difficult opening tie against Chesham. The club’s immediate priority is therefore to secure victory in that replay before thinking about a return to Luton.

How last season’s 4-3 thriller unfolded

Rovers looked to be heading out of the competition early in last season’s first-round match. Lamine Fanne opened the scoring for Luton in the 23rd minute, and Nahki Wells doubled the home side’s advantage seven minutes later.

Wells scored again eight minutes into the second half, putting Luton 3-0 ahead and leaving Forest Green with a steep challenge. Robbie Savage’s side responded through three substitutes, turning the match into one of the tie’s most memorable contests.

Tom Knowles began the recovery in the 61st minute, scoring with a deflected effort. Seven minutes later, Kyle McAllister converted a penalty after Harry Whitwell was brought down inside the box.

Aidan Dausch then completed the comeback in the 79th minute, firing in to make it 3-3 and stun the home supporters. Forest Green came close to completing the turnaround when captain Laurent Mendy headed against the crossbar.

Luton ultimately delivered the decisive moment in stoppage time. Substitute Gideon Kodua scored in the 92nd minute to restore the Hatters’ lead and send them through to the second round.

Forest Green still had an opportunity to force extra time, but Dausch missed a late chance from close range. The 4-3 defeat ended a match in which Rovers had recovered from three goals behind.

FA Cup first-round draw

If Forest Green defeat Chesham, the club will return to the first-round draw against Luton. The wider draw includes a number of ties involving teams from across the professional and non-league game:

  • Dover Athletic v Wealdstone
  • Mansfield Town v Macclesfield or Anstey Nomads
  • Huddersfield Town v Exeter City
  • Luton Town v Chesham United or Forest Green Rovers
  • Bristol Rovers v Cambridge United
  • Oldham Athletic v Sheffield Wednesday
  • Kidderminster Harriers v Doncaster Rovers
  • Leyton Orient v Harborough Town
  • Accrington Stanley v Wycombe Wanderers
  • MK Dons v Swindon Town
  • Newport County v Walsall
  • Bromley v Rotherham United
  • Barnet v Tranmere Rovers
  • Fleetwood Town v Rochdale
  • Barnsley v Aldershot Town or Tadley Calleva
  • Plymouth Parkway v Berkhamstead
  • Chesterfield v Leatherhead or Yeovil Town
  • Gillingham v Barrow or Gloucester City
  • Bury or Harrogate Town v AFC Fylde
  • Crewe Alexandra v AFC Wimbledon
  • Oxford United v Stevenage
  • Burton Albion v Rushden and Diamonds
  • Bedford Town or Cray Wanderers v Stockport County
  • Port Vale v Scunthorpe United
  • Cheltenham Town v FC Halifax Town
  • Colchester United v Chorley or Worcester City
  • Eastleigh v Shrewsbury Town
  • Peterborough United v Reading
  • Wimborne Town v Crawley Town
  • Plymouth Argyle v Spalding United or Alvechurch
  • Hornchurch v Blackpool
  • Guiseley v Sutton United
  • Gateshead or Stafford Rangers v Grimsby Town
  • Oxford City v Leicester City
  • Bradford City v Marine
  • York City v Northampton Town
  • Altrincham or United of Manchester v Notts County
  • Boreham Wood v Wigan Athletic
  • Carlisle United v Salford City
  • Salisbury v Sholing

For Forest Green supporters, the most significant part of the draw is the possibility of another trip to Luton. Before that can happen, Rovers must first find a way past Chesham and secure their place in the first round.