Richie Allen’s goal in extra-time ensured Salford City beat Bradford Park Avenue 1-0 to reach the fourth qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup for the first time on a great night for Manchester-based clubs.
Salford booked a home tie with National League side Southport, while near neighbours FC United of Manchester beat Buxton 2-0 in their replay to set up a trip to Sporting Khalsa, the tournament's lowest-ranked side.
Emirates FA Cup
Third round qualifying
Bradford Park Avenue 0-1 Salford City Buxton 0-2 FC United of Manchester
Wednesday 14 October 2015
Winning sides receive £7,500
The first half at Bradford was largely uneventful, although Scott Burton arguably should have put the visiting Salford in front before the break when he volleyed over from close range.
Park Avenue did have a glorious chance to go in front just after the restart when Salford gifted the ball to Jason St Juste, only for the St Kitts and Nevis international to drag wide when one-on-one.
The home side had a number of good chances in the second half, including when Luke Dean’s goal-bound effort was blocked by team-mate James Walshaw, but in the end the match went to extra-time.
And the winning goal came just four minutes into the additional half an hour. Bradford Park Avenue failed to clear their lines and Allen slotted past Jon Stewart.
By that point FC United of Manchester had already cemented their place in the fourth qualifying round.
It looked as though Buxton and United would also be set for extra-time as the two teams approached the final quarter of an hour goalless.
But then Greg Daniels placed a beautifully-struck shot into the far corner on 75 minutes and former Salford forward Sam Madeley made sure of the win with another fine finish with just over a minute of normal time remaining.
