Non-League clubs took centre stage in the Emirates FA Cup Second Round Proper as the competition delivered yet more memorable action.
National League side Boreham Wood dispatched League Two Newport County in front of a jubilant Meadow Park while Macclesfield won the clash of sixth-tier sides against Slough Town to join Weston-super-Mare as representatives from outside England’s top four divisions in the hat for the next round.
Elsewhere, League Two leaders Walsall came out on top over National League outfit Gateshead.
Boreham Wood booked their spot in the third round of the FA Cup for the first time in three years after a comprehensive 3-0 home victory over Newport County.
Two goals in three first-half minutes put the Wood in the driving seat; a position they never relinquished thereafter.
Jeff King gave the home side the lead on 32 minutes after volleying a wayward Newport clearance beyond keeper Nik Tzanev.
The volley from Jeff King 😮💨
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) December 7, 2025
The @BOREHAM_WOODFC fullback opens the scoring! ⚪️
📺 Watch live on @BBCMOTD and @footballontnt pic.twitter.com/mDwBvj0jjC
One became two soon after as Regan Booty wonderfully finished from close range after connecting with Zak Brunt’s pacy cross.
The tie was all but wrapped up just before the hour mark when Matt Rush – Boreham Wood’s top scorer – finished emphatically with a drilled near-post shot.
Newport – managed by 2021 FA Cup winner Christian Fuchs – could not find a way back into proceedings as Luke Garrard's outfit saw out the clash in fine style.
In Sunday’s early kick-off, Macclesfield progressed to the third round for the first time in their fledgling history with a hard-fought 3-1 win after extra time.
The first 45 minutes remained goalless but the game burst into life during the second half when Slough were reduced to 10 men after Kiki Oshilaja was giving a second yellow card for bringing down D'Mani Mellor in the box.
Daniel Elliott scored the resultant penalty, but the Rebels forced extra time four minutes from time when Wiktor Makowski converted from the spot after Harvey Walker was felled.
James Edmondson struck three minutes into the additional 30 minutes with a sumptuous strike before Regan Griffiths confirmed the Silkmen’s passage late on.
This angle of James Edmondson's stunning winner for @thesilkmen 🔥#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/XQD9tXXhwK
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) December 7, 2025
Walsall avoided an upset against Gateshead as they ran out comfortable 2-0 winners in the northeast.
Daniel Kanu netted from the penalty spot after 25 minutes beneath the driving rain at the Gateshead International Stadium to give his side a half-time lead.
The 21-year-old turned from scorer to provider just after the break as he teed up Aden Flint to double the Saddlers advantage; one they maintained until the full-time whistle.
Daniel Kanu's goal from the spot gives @WFCOfficial the lead 🎯
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) December 7, 2025
📺 Watch live on @footballontnt and @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/Dkpl3NQ4vC
League One Blackpool produced a dominant display at Bloomfield Road as they beat Mark Hughes’ Carlisle United 4-1.
Tom Bloxham put the Tangerines ahead after 14 minutes before quickfire efforts from Ashley Fletcher and Scott Banks gave the home side a commanding half-time lead.
Luke Armstrong’s 51st-minute goal threatened to spark a comeback for the Blues, but Northern Ireland international Bailey Peacock-Farrell was in inspired form in the Blackpool net, producing a series of fine saves to frustrate the National League team.
Fletcher’s second on 57 minutes ended the tie as a contest and confirmed Ian Evatt’s side a place in the third round.
