Crawley have last word to win an 11-goal thriller
A Hat-trick from Tom Nichols helped Crawley Town edge an amazing 11-goal thriller away against Torquay United and avoid another FA Cup first round upset.
Gary Johnson’s National League team led 2-0 in the first half and 5-3 in extra-time - but bowed out 6-5 to their League Two opponents at Plainmoor.
First-half goals from Aaron Nemane and Ben Whitfield had the hosts in control, before Crawley lost goalkeeper Tom Mcgill to a serious injury in the second half.
Nichols started the comeback from the penalty spot before Max Watters equalised in the 14th minute of the stoppage time related to Mcgill’s departure.
Josh Umerah then fired Torquay back in front but there was still time for Jordan Tunnicliffe to equalise and force extra time.
Gulls captain Asa Hall looked to have finally settled the tie with two penalties in the space of five minutes, only for Nichols to drag Crawley back on level terms before then sending Ashley Nadesan clear to grab the winner with penalties looming.
Stephen Gleeson converted two penalties as National League side Solihull Moors won 3-2 away against Scunthorpe United.
Gleeson opened the scoring after only four minutes when Cameron Coxe was brought down in the area, before John Mcatee equalised for the League Two side at Glanford Park.
Krystian Pearce headed the visitors back in front shortly after the interval and Gleeson’s second penalty 10 minutes from time made it 3-1 before Kevin van Veen’s goal set up a nervous finish, during which the home side’s Tyler Cordner was sent off.
Connor Hall’s extra-time winner sent National League North side Chorley into round two for only the third time as they came from 2-0 down to beat 2013 FA Cup winners Wigan Athletic 3-2 after extra time.
Goals from Joe Garner and Tom James had put the home side firmly in control but Adam Long was shown a straight red card for bringing down Harry Cardwell when through on goal shortly before the interval.
Elliott Newby and Cardwell got the visitors back on level terms and Hall scored what proved to be the winner in the second minute of extra time.
Oldham Athletic maintained their record of not losing a first round tie against a non-league team since 1972 with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Hampton & Richmond.
Ben Garrity’s early opener for the visitors was cancelled out by Sam Deadfield’s penalty but Bobby Grant restored Oldham’s advantage and Danny Rowe made it 3-1 before Deadfield set up a tense finish with his second goal 16 minutes from time. Hampton had Tyrell MillerRodney sent off at the end.
Isthmian League side Cray Valley Paper Mills were unable to pull off a shock as they lost 1-0 away against Havant & Waterlooville, where Bedsente Gomis scored the only goal after 18 minutes before Godfrey Poku’s 62nd-minute dismissal for the hosts.
And League Two Morecambe edged past a spirited Maldon & Tiptree side 82 places below them in the pyramid thanks to an Adam Phillips penalty just before half-time.
Carlisle United produced an amazing comeback to get the better of non-league Hayes & Yeading, who looked on course for victory after Omar Rowe and Amos Nasha put the home side 2-0 up in extra time.
However, defender Jon Mellish scored twice in the last three minutes to force a penalty shoot-out and also scored from the spot to help his side win 4-3, with team-mate Gavin Reilly holding his nerve to score the decisive penalty in sudden death.
Scott Fraser scored the decisive spot-kick as the MK Dons beat Eastleigh 4-3 on penalties after 120 minutes of action ended goalless, while Gary Madine scored twice and Jerry Yates was also on target as Blackpool won 3-0 away against Eastbourne Borough to make sure of their place in today’s second round draw.