Debnam fires Cleethorpes into First Round Qualifying

Jack Debnam scored a 20-minute hat-trick as Cleethorpes Town and Gresley played out a thriller during Wednesday’s FA Cup Preliminary Round replays.

Cleethorpes had looked to be heading out of the competition as they trailed 3-2 with just minutes of normal time remaining.

However, Debnam netted the first of his three goals in the fifth minute of added time to send the match into extra-time.

Gresley once again took the lead, but two more goals from Debnam provided the home side with a dramatic victory. 

It rounded off what had been an all-action FA Cup tie, with four red cards being shown and nine goals scored.

There were goals and late drama elsewhere, as North Shields and Scarborough Athletic saw their match go all the way to a penalty shoot-out after being locked at 4-4 after extra-time. The two sides were at 3-3 after 90 minutes.

And it was Scarborough who held their nerve to claim a spot in the next round of The FA Cup thanks to a 4-2 victory on penalties.

Welwyn Garden City and Saffron Walden Town's tie was the only other to go to extra-time on Wednesday night.

The two teams were goalless after 90 minutes and it was not until the sixth minute of extra-time that the deadlock was finally broken by the game’s only goal.

Welwyn’s home win was one of seven on the night, as the host teams showed the benefit of earning a replay.

Sherborne Town were 4-0 victors over Alresford Town, while Darlington 1883 beat West Auckland Town 3-1 and Saltash United overcame Shepton Mallet 1-0.

Redhill were the only side to claim an away win during Wednesday’s replays, defeating Horsham YMCA 2-0.

Wednesday's Preliminary Round replay results:

Darlington 1883 3-1 West Auckland Town
North Shields 4-4 Scarborough Athletic (Scarborough Athletic won 4-2 on penalties)
Cleethorpes Town 5-4 (aet) Gresley
Welwyn Garden City 1-0 (aet) Saffron Walden Town
Horsham YMCA 0-2 Redhill
Croydon 4-1 Epsom & Ewell
Sherborne Town 4-0 Alresford Town
Saltash Utd 1-0 Shepton Mallet