BEACHBOYS SPOT ON – TO DELIGHT OF COWLEY

FORMER boss Danny Cowley led the tributes last night as Concord Rangers edged into the last eight of the FA Trophy for the first time after a nerve-jangling penalty shoot-out with Leamington.

Cowley spent seven years in charge of the Beachboys, taking them from the Essex Senior League to the National League South – enjoying his first promotion alongside curent boss Danny Scopes, who returned in the summer.

And after hearing of his former club squeezing into the last eight yesterday, Cowley, who had led Huddersfield Town to a 2-0 victory over QPR at the same time, was quick to offer his praise,

“Congratulations to everyone associated with

Concord Rangers,” he tweeted.

“An amazing achievement from just the best football club! Last 8 of the Trophy! Wow just wow!”

Rangers, though, were taken right to the wire by the National League North Brakes, who twice cancelled out leads – both in regulation and extra time to force the shootout.

“It’s an amazing achievement for everybody at the football club, in a game that had everything,” added relieved Beachboys boss Scopes.

“The players showed true grit and determination all game. This is a trait over the years of the DNA of the football club and it’s a pleasure to keep this legacy going.”

Rangers took just six minutes to break thew deadlock. Kit Elliott, loaned to Concord by Cowley at Huddersfield, weaved past two challenges and arrowed a perfect cross for the arriving Lamar Reynolds who planted his header firmly into the top right hand corner.

Concord should have been out of sight but missed chances came back to bite them on 59 minutes when Stephen Morley’s rocket into the top corner from the edge of the box brought the visitors level.

The Brakes finished the game with ten men after Junior English was sent off for cynically bringing down Joel Nouble and Concord made them pay in the fifth minute of added time – James Blanchfield delightfully chipping a committed Jake Weaver into an empty net.

Callum Maycock got the telling touch to bring the scores back to 2-2 – scant reward for the 10-man Brakes – sending the game to penalties where keeper Chris Haigh proved the hero, diving to his right to save Jack Edwards’ spot kick to send the home crowd into raptures.

Brakes boss Paul Holleran said: “It was a fantastic cup tie. The spirit and character of my players was fantastic, I couldn’t have wished for more.”