Nantwich Town stun York to record famous FA Trophy win

Separated by 64 places in the football pyramid, the unfancied Dabbers made a lightning start at the Swansway Stadium as Ahmed Ali - their penalty shootout hero in each of the last three rounds - headed home inside two minutes.

Young midfielder Paddy Kay doubled their lead midway through the half, shortly before Connor Rankin netted his first goal for the club on 28 minutes.

Late goals from York captain Lenell John-Lewis and Zanda Siziba set up a grandstand finish as the National League side looked to spoil the party in Cheshire, but the home side did just enough to hang on and record a famous victory.

Speaking post-match, manager Paul Carden said: "It was a bit nervy at the end - the phrase 'a bottom like a rabbit's nose' came to mind, it was a bit twitchy!

“You’d go a long way to find a better first-half performance than that. It was a thoroughly deserved win - we were holding on a little bit towards the end, which we were always going to.

"We couldn't get out at times, but I thought we stuck to our shape and plan brilliantly. To a man, we were excellent."

Eighth-tier Nantwich will be joined in the hat for the next round by Northern Premier League heavyweights Macclesfield.

Second half goals from Luke Duffy and Alex Curran saw them record an impressive 2-0 win away at Curzon Ashton of the National League North.

Elsewhere, NPL West Division side City of Liverpool bowed out of the competition after losing 5-1 at home to Hartlepool United, who were relegated from the Football League at the end of last season.

The Purps led 1-0 at the interval thanks to Josh Quarless' goal three minutes into the contest, but they had no response to a blistering second half performance from Hartlepool - led from the front by Emmanuel Dieseruvwe, who scored twice.

Radcliffe and Walsall Wood will also have the chance to increase the NPL representation in the next round.

Having seen their respective home games against Redditch United and Coalville Town postponed due to waterlogged pitches on Saturday, they will now play their third round ties on Tuesday night.

Nantwich have also beaten Dunston, Bradford Park Avenue, Stratford Town and Chester en route to the fourth round, and they will be hoping for another big tie to look forward to in round four.

"The spirit that the lads have shown is different class, and I'm delighted for everybody at the club," Carden added.

"The prize money really helps - I know it's not bundles compared to the FA Cup, but with each round you go through the prize money increases so it's massive for us.

"I'm delighted for everybody here, and hopefully we get another good draw and see where it takes us.”

Photo credit: Jonathan White