Non-league Dagenham join giants in Emirates FA Cup third round

Saturday 30 Nov 2024
The Daggers last reached the third round stage in the 2015-16 season

Non-league Dagenham & Redbridge sprung an Emirates FA Cup surprise by beating League One AFC Wimbledon to reach the third round. 

Junior Morias' superb strike was cancelled out by Matt Stevens in first half injury time but the Daggers kept on dreaming of an upset. 

With ten minutes left in the tie, Josh Rees bundled home to see the National League side join the heavyweights of the Premier League and Championship in Monday’s third round draw. 

Earlier, Leyton Orient dodged a banana skin in dramatic fashion by beating non-league Oldham Athletic. 

The League One side looked destined for a shock defeat when Manny Monthe pounced on a defensive mix-up to put his side ahead early in the second half.

In an incredible twist, Orient goalkeeper Josh Keeley went up for a corner and headed home an equaliser deep in second-half injury time to force an extra 30 minutes.

The hosts saw Dan Agyei miss a penalty in extra time before, with penalties looming, the striker netted a winner in the dying seconds.

By contrast, the prospect of an upset in the lunchtime televised clash was quickly quashed by League One high-fliers Wycombe Wanderers, who prevailed 2-0 at Wealdstone.

Beryly Lubala and Richard Kone played party-poopers for Matt Bloomfield’s side in front of the cameras.

Brackley Town were another non-league side to be beaten by in-form EFL opposition as they went down 3-1 at Stockport County.

Callum Connolly's own goal handed the National League North side an olive branch but Isaac Olaofe added to Will Collar and Kyle Wootton's first-half goals to see the hosts through.

There were four all-League One and three all-League Two ties on Saturday. 

Jonny Smith struck with a minute left in extra time to see Wigan to a thrilling 2-1 win over Cambridge, one of four matches that couldn't be settled in 90 minutes, with Bristol Rovers beating Barnsley on penalties after a goalless draw.

Crawley leapt into a 2-0 lead over Lincoln City, but goals from Paudie O’Connor, Jevon Makama, Erik Ring and Jack Moylan propelled the visitors to 4-3 victory. 

Stephen McLaughlin’s second-half strike powered Mansfield Town past Stevenage and into the third round.

In the clashes between fourth tier divisional rivals, Salford City downed Cheltenham Town 2-0 and Jordan Slew struck the winner four minutes after Neill Byrne was sent off as Morecambe edged out Bradford City 1-0.

After Tyler Walton scored twice to force extra time, Accrington Stanley beat ten-man Swindon Town on penalties, winning the shootout 4-1. 

League One Charlton Athletic warded off the threat of League Two high-fliers Walsall, claiming an thumping 4-0 win in the West Midlands. 

Elsewhere, two goals in four second-half minutes from Ricky-Jade Jones and Joel Randall helped Peterborough United claim a 4-3 win in a see-saw tussle with Notts County. 

Defender Tristan Crama and striker Josh Magennis were the heroes as Exeter City booked their place in the third round by beating Chesterfield 2-0. 

By FA Staff