Stamford are gearing up for the biggest game in their Emirates FA Cup history after a shock extra-time victory over Wrexham secured their trip to League Two outfit Hartlepool United in the First Round.
Jake Duffy’s free-kick proved decisive as the Northern Premier League Division 1 South defied the football pyramid, going beyond the Fourth Round Qualifying stage for the first time in their history.
That was despite the Welsh side boasting momentum, with Shaun Harrad's followed by Jordan Evans’ 92nd-minute equaliser helping the National League side fight back from 2-0 down.
The Emirates FA Cup
Fourth Round Qualifying Replays
Tuesday 18th October 2016
Winners go into First Round
Lee Beeson’s penalty had given Stamford the lead before Kern Miller’s volley doubled the advantage, with Duffy the eventual hero, his 20-yard free-kick creeping in at the near post.
Harrow Borough are also in FA Cup dreamland after a surprise of their own, with their against-the-odds victory at Margate giving them a First Round clash with League One high-flyers Northampton Town.
Lewis Driver and Ibrahim Meite stole the show for Harrow, despite being one step further down the football pyramid, with their second-half goals proving vital on the coast.
It seemed as though National League South side Margate had the momentum when Elliot Buchanan’s cancelled out Francis Babalola’s counter-attack opener, but the visitors responded valiantly, Driver prodding in while Meite slotted home to send Boro into pandemonium, with a potential giant-killing to come when they travel to Sixfields in two weeks’ time.
Elsewhere, the shocks kept on coming as Taunton Town defied the odds to get past Hemel Hempstead Town 1-0 – setting up a First Round tie at home to Barrow.
Jordan Rogers was the hero for the Somerset side, confidently firing home a first-half penalty as the Step 4 side battled hard despite intense pressure to hang on.
Gozie Ugwu’s double proved invaluable for Woking, forced to come from behind to overcome Torquay United 2-1 in their Fourth Round Qualifying replay.
Sam Chaney opened the scoring for the visitors, but Ugwu’s five-minute double was enough for the Cardinals to earn a visit to Stockport County next up.
Theo Robinson starred with a brace on his full Lincoln City debut as they prevailed 2-1 against Guiseley in the all-National League tie, while it was also 2-1 in the favour of Curzon Ashton against York City on Monday evening.
That shock now sees them travel to Westfields, with the ninth-tier side the lowest ranked team left in the competition.
