Six NPL clubs in the hat for FA Cup fourth qualifying round draw

The draw will be broadcast live on talkSPORT 2 at 3.15pm, with clubs now just 90 minutes away from the first round proper and a possible tie against Football League opposition.

There were five NPL winners of games at the weekend, including Leek Town, who sprung an upset in beating reigning NPL champions South Shields 2-0 live on BBC thanks to goals from Marc Grocott and Rob Stevenson.

The four all-NPL ties were settled on the day, Jacob Gratton’s penalty enough for Whitby Town to see off Morpeth Town.

Jason Gilchrist’s double fired Ashton United past Lancaster City, while Marine also won 2-0 away, at Premier Division rivals Hyde United, with goals either side of half-time from Manasse Mampala and Fin Sinclair-Smith to complete an impressive unbeaten September for the Merseysiders.

Macclesfield came from a goal down in the wet to defeat Warrington Rylands 2-1, Alex Curran and John Rooney scoring their goals.

The sixth NPL side in the draw are Worksop Town, who earned a replay against National League North side Blyth Spartans. They actually took the lead through last season’s NPL East Division Player of the Year Liam Hughes, but Jonathan O’Connell’s equaliser spared the hosts’ blushes, and the two will go again at Sandy Lane on Tuesday night.

The two remaining NPL Step 4 clubs both bowed out at the weekend, with Nantwich Town agonisingly being defeated by a 90th minute winner at National League North side Chester. Connor Heath thought he had forced a replay with an 84th minute equaliser to cancel out Harrison Burke’s goal nine minutes prior, but Matty Williams popped up to deny the Dabbers a replay.

Cambridge City’s run in the competition came to an end, also against National League North opposition, as they went down 3-0 at Hereford.

City suffered a pre-match injury blow with the withdrawal of Joe Hood in the warm-up, and then lost Jake Battersby midway through the first half, when they already trailed to a Alex Babos free-kick.

Yusifu Ceesay made it two on the stroke of half-time and Jack Tolley put to bed any doubt over the result with a fine individual goal on 70 minutes.

The fourth qualifying round ties are due to take place on Saturday October 14, with the draw split into northern and southern sections.