AFC Sudbury and Winchester City, both tipped to go far, were dumped from the tournament in their own back yards – Newmarket Town’s thrilling 4-3 victory after extra time against Winchester the result of the day.

And Bury Town – unbeaten in 18 – claimed the scalp of league rivals AFC Sudbury to end the club’s hopes of reaching a fourth consecutive final.

A fortnight ago, Newmarket Town were knocked out of the competition by Welwyn Garden City in a fourth round replay. But an appeal against Welwyn’s fielding of an ineligible player was upheld and Newmarket were restored to the competition.

To say they played like a side reprieved from the hangman’s noose would be an understatement.

Within ten minutes they were two goals to the good against a Winchester team who had displayed ominous form in the early part of this competition.

Newmarket’s leading scorer, 18-year-old Sam Reed, and ex-Histon midfielder Gareth Jones found the net in the early stages and if Reed took his goal well, Jones’ instinctive snap-shot on the turn was an emphatic statement of intent.

Winchester City haven’t dominated the Wessex Division One league in recent seasons by rolling over and they mounted the expected comeback – Ian Mancey and Ben Keneller putting them level by half-time.

But their anticipated dominance after the break failed to materialise and the Suffolk side went ahead again through centre half Andy Mee.

Again Winchester pulled level, this time through Laim Green, but Jonathan Olive, a product of Newmaket’s youth system, produced the winner in the first half of extra time.

"Yes, Popeye was in the stands to cheer Olive’s winner and we all had spinach for lunch," chortled club Chairman Alfie Collen.

"It was a wonderful day for this small club – we enjoyed every minute of it.

"I think it was the first time this season we had a full squad to pick from. We knew we were playing the favourites. We knew every one of our players would have to be at their best.

"Hats off to Winchester. They were very gracious in defeat."

Ian Miller was the Bury Town hero as the side claimed a deserved 2-0 extra-time win against AFC Sudbury at The Kings Marsh Stadium.

Miller was at the heart of a wonderfully organised Bury defence and he popped up in the first minute of extra-time to give his side the lead with a close range header.

"There wasn’t a lot in it," said Bury Town manager Richard Wilkins. "I was pleased for our youngsters, who did so well."