Combined Counties Premier Division South side Tadley Calleva continued their dream Emirates FA Cup run with a stirring 1-0 victory at Bishop’s Cleeve.
Brad Neal’s looped header in the 41st minute proved the difference in the second round qualifying clash, as he pounced on the second ball from a long throw to spark jubilation from the away fans.
The Hampshire outfit’s progression through to the third qualifying round represents the best cup run in their history, having come through the preliminary rounds back in August.
Their journey so far has seen them eliminate Bemerton Heath Harlequins, Hamble Club and Laverstock & Ford, all with a squad featuring office workers and tradesmen.
Tadley upset Weymouth in the first qualifying round last season, but were unable to build on that success, only to go another step further this season.
Another ninth-tier side, SE Dons, scored twice in injury time to seal a remarkable 3-2 win at seventh-tier Chichester City and continue their own dream run.
Alex Teniola bagged the last-gasp winner after a superb free-kick from Ralfi Hand had levelled the scores.
Cirencester Town competed well with Farnham Town, drawing 2-2 despite plying their trade three divisions below the visitors.
Jamol Dare equalised after Sam Evans’ early goal, before Rakish Bingham and Harlie Price traded second half strikes to leave the tie requiring a replay.
Barton Town secured their own slice of history too, beating Boldmere St Michael’s 3-1.
Either side would have matched their record FA Cup run, but it was the hosts who were triumphant, thanks to a brace from Joe Wood.
AFC Greenwich saw their excellent run come to an end as they were beaten 3-2 at Chertsey Town, though Trafford kept their names in the hat with a 2-1 win at Heaton Stannington.
Bury Town eventually ran out 4-3 winners over Gorleston in a topsy-turvy match, where both teams took the lead before being locked at 3-3 heading into the final ten minutes, before midfielder Ryan Jolland notched the decisive goal.
In the day’s early game, National League North side Darlington drew on their experience to beat Redcar Town 4-2.
Callum Luck and Jayden Gray had the hosts dreaming of an upset as they put their side 2-1 ahead but goals from Toby Lees, Ben Hedley and Mark Beck sent Darlo through in front of a bumper crowd of 1,358.
Redcar’s neighbours, Redcar Athletic, were ultimately unsuccessful against higher opposition too, as they were unable to stage a comeback against Macclesfield.
The Silkmen made headlines by earning one of the competition’s all-time biggest shocks, after their 2-1 win over Premier League Crystal Palace back in January. Goals from Danny Elliott and Elliot Osbourne earned them a victory by the same scoreline at the start of this year’s competition.
Hanworth Town ran riot against Pagham, finishing as 6-0 victors in the day’s most one-sided tie.
All-time FA Cup top scorers Kettering Town avenged last season’s 2-1 defeat to Quorn FC in this round by beating the same opposition 2-0 at home, while Morecambe defeated Southport 2-0 in a clash of two National League North sides.
To see a full list of results from the preliminary round, click here.
