Cult hero Wally sees his new ‘Crazy Gang’ on Wembley way
THE travelling fans of AFC Wimbledon called for Wally Downes to be appointed their new boss as they watched their side avoid an FA Cup upset at non-League FC Halifax.
Goals from Ben Purrington, Anthony Wordsworth and Joe Pigott secured a 3-1 win for the League One strugglers, before a late James Hanson own goal proved mere consolation for the Shaymen.
Downes, who was part of the Dons’ original Crazy Gang, is expected to be appointed prior to Tuesday’s Checkatrade Trophy clash with Chelsea
Under-21s. Caretaker manager Simon Bassey said: “Wally is obviously a cult hero at the club.
“I’ll continue to work for this club until told otherwise. The board has made fantastic decisions in the last 17 years and I’m sure they’ll make another one.”
Halifax boss Jamie Fullarton saw his team spurn a string of early chances and said: “When you’re on top and create the chances that you do, it’s vital that you score.”
Fellow National League side Maidstone also failed to reach the third round as they were beaten 2-0 at home by Oldham.
Peter Clarke opened the scoring for the Latics and Chris O’Grady ended hopes of a Maidstone revival with a second eight minutes from time.
Lincoln could be shaping up for another famous cup run after goals from Matt Rhead and John Akinde gave them a 2-0 win over Carlisle.
The Imps reached the quarter-finals in 2017, where they lost to Arsenal, and wasted no time in heading towards round three with Rhead’s opener coming after just
30 seconds.
Boss Danny Cowley said: “We like to give the opposition that, ‘Welcome to Sincil Bank’ feeling.
“It was a great kick-off and Rheady did what Rheady does best.”
Bradford boss David Hopkin hailed a wonderstrike from Kelvin Mellor which paved the way for his side’s dramatic revival at Peterborough.
The League One strugglers trailed 2-0 with six minutes to go before Mellor lashed home a
30-yard strike and Luca Colville’s deflected effort earned a replay.
Hopkin said: “It was a fantastic strike from Kelvin to beat a goalkeeper of six foot eight. I thought it was special at the time and it gave us momentum.”
Aiden McGeady slid Sunderland ahead at Walsall but Andy Cook’s equaliser saw Jack Ross’s side forced to settle for a replay.
Doncaster boss Grant McCann was far from happy despite seeing his side ease into the third round with a
2-0 win at The Valley against Charlton. Goals from Andy Butler and John Marquis saw Rovers home but McCann said: “I don’t think we were up to our usual standards but we won the game and we are in the hat and that is the most important thing.”
Cauley Woodrow hit a second-half double as Barnsley won 4-2 at Southend.
Kieffer Moore and Mike Bahre also scored for the Tykes, while the Shrimpers’ efforts came from Sam Mantom and Timothee Dieng.
Goals from James Henry and Cameron Brannagan paved the way for Oxford’s 2-1 win at Plymouth. Antoni Sarcevic pulled one back.
Offrande Zanzala, Billy Kee and Jordan Clark scored for Accrington in their 3-1 triumph over Cheltenham. Alex Addai scored for the visitors.