Heybridge Swifts’ dream run in the Buildbase FA Trophy continued with a thrilling 3-2 triumph over Hampton and Richmond Borough on Tuesday night.
Swifts, of the Isthmian League North, flew out of the blocks and were 2-0 up inside 20 minutes through a Luke Callander penalty and Lewis Godbold.
But a Max Kretzschmar double either side of half time dragged Borough, of the National League South - two tiers higher in the football pyramid, back into the contest.
However, the hosts dug in and hit back five minutes later, Godbold netting his second of the game, as the minnows clung on to secure a last-32 tie with Maidstone United.And there was so nearly an upset at Boreham Wood as the hosts, chasing promotion in the National League, edged past a spirited Dartford on penalties.
Shaun Jeffers fired home in the 92nd minute to make it 2-2 after normal time after goals from Ryan Hayes and Danny Mills looked to be enough for the National League South side to progress, Bruno Andrade netting the other for Boreham Wood.
And Wood stopper Grant Smith was the hero between the sticks as he saved three Dartford penalties to send his side through.
Elsewhere, a Dale Hopson penalty was enough for Blyth Spartans to see off fellow National League North outfit AFC Telford United.
Hopson stroked the ball home on nine minutes after Dan Maguire was felled in the box by Aaron Hayden.
Two late strikes sealed Warrington Town’s progress in dramatic fashion in their all Northern Premier League Premier Division clash at Altrincham.
Both are challenging for promotion in the league, and it looked like the victory would go the way of the hosts when Jordan Hulme struck on 54 minutes.
However, Liam Golding tapped home with three minutes left on the clock, before Jamie McDonald slid in at the back post in injury time.
National League South side Weston-super-Mare got through a tricky tie away at Southern League Premier’s Chesham United, Danny Greenslade’s first-half strike and Dale Grubb’s stoppage-time effort sealing victory for Marc McGregor’s men.
Second-half goals from Matt Lowe and Shane Byrne gave Brackley Town of the National League North victory over National League South side Braintree Town.
The scheduled fixtures between FC Halifax Town and Macclesfield Town and Spennymoor Town and Gainsborough Trinity were both postponed due to the freezing weather.
