FA Cup 2nd Round
Harrogate Railway 1 Bristol City 3
Bristol City win £30,000 and will be away to Leicester City in the FA Cup Third round


It was fun while it lasted but Harrogate Railway's FA Cup run is over, the professionalism of Second Division Bristol City proving just too much at Station View.

But the non-leaguers didn't let themselves down live on Sky Sports and proud manager Paul Marshall said afterwards: "My boys were marvellous and we gave them a fright when we pulled it back to 2-1.

"The money we have made from the cup run will help get our ground up to Unibond League standard. I think there are exciting times ahead for the club, although the fans will probably expect me to get them into The FA Cup third round next season!"

Railway were the first ever North East Counties league club to reach the second round but their fairytale run hit a major derailment when City took a 20th minute lead. Kevin Smith blazed over after 41 minutes when presented with a chance to equalise and it looked all over when the visitors made it 2-0 seven minutes into the second half.

Scott Murray, recently called into the Scotland B squad, scored his 17th goal of the season by turning in a Lee Peacock centre from close range.

Harrogate threw on leading scorer Steve Davey even though he was short of match fitness and he threw his side a lifeline with a header on 78 minutes. The non-leaguers then pressed forward for a dramatic equaliser but City caught them on the break in the dying minutes to make it 3-1 with Roberts rounding goalkeeper Ed Neil.

THE TRAIL SO FAR (featured club in italics)

Extra-Preliminary round - Greenwich Borough 1 Three Bridges 4

Preliminary round - Three Bridges 3 Didcot Town 1

First Qualifying Round - Chipstead 1 Three Bridges 3

Second Qualifying Round - Three Bridges 1 Aveley 3

Third qualifying round - Canvey Island 2 Aveley 0

Fourth qualifying round - Slough 3 Canvey Island 2

First Round - Slough v Harrogate Railway

Second Round: Harrogate Railway 1 Bristol City 3

The FA Cup Trail is compiled by Joe Bernstein.

Look out for our preview of Leicester City v BRISTOL CITY in the FA Cup Third round