Shocks in FA Trophy

There will be a maximum of just seven teams from the top flight of non-league football in the last 16 of the FA Trophy.

Ahead of today’s lunchtime draw, only Sutton United and Notts County are through to the fifth round.

Hawks, who progressed via Altrincham’s Covid-enforced withdrawal, are joined by fellow National League South clubs Maidstone and Oxford City.

National League North side Darlington are through, after a surprise 1-0 win at higher tier Weymouth, while two clubs from step 3 are also taking their place in the draw.

Peterborough Sports, 12th in the Southern League Central Division, sprang a shock - winning 1-0 at NL South side Bath City with a goal from Mark Jones.

Due to the Southern League season being on hold, Sports have only played five times since October 17 - and all in the FA Trophy! Prior to Saturday’s win at Twerton Park, they had last played on December 19 in the previous round of the competition.

Hornchurch, from the Isthmian Premier Division, dumped out two divisions higher King’s Lynn, winning 3-0 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

Like Peterborough, Hornchurch have only played Trophy ties since step 3 football was suspended in early November.

Wealdstone will progress to the fifth round if they beat National League North leaders Gloucester City on Monday night.

There are a further six ties on Tuesday, including three all-National League affairs - Aldershot v Solihull, Boreham Wood v Torquay and

Bromley v Woking.

FC Halifax could boost the

National League presence in the last 16 if they beat Southport, while Kettering host Leamington in an all National League North encounter.

The remaining tie sees Stamford, the lowest ranked team left in the tournament, hosting NL North side Hereford.

Lincolnshire-based Stamford play at step 4 of the non-league pyramid, in the South East Division of the Northern Premier League.