BORO MARCH ON IN CUP
STAFFORD Rangers put their league struggles to one side to spring a surprise in the FA Cup.
Boro, who are second-from-bottom of the Northern Premier League top flight, beat Hereford - playing a level above - 3-1 in Tuesday’s third qualifying round tie at Marston Road.
That leaves Stafford one win away from potentially drawing a Football League club in the famous competition.
Jody Banim’s side have scored just one goal in four league games, but once again found their shooting boots in the cup as they made it six goals in three ties.
But they had to battle back from a goal behind after Thomas OwenEvans had put Hereford ahead.
However, Joe Cuff’s double, plus an injury-time strike from Callum Coyle, ensured it was Boro who progressed to the next stage.
Hereford made the early running in the tie and it was no surprise they took the lead when Owen-evans was the quickest to react to Samir Nabi’s blocked shot to put the visitors in front in the 15th minute.
Cuff and Alex-ray Harvey were denied by Hereford keeper Paul White, but the former soon levelled matters.
He fired in an effort which beat White in the 28th minute.
Both sides had chances to nose ahead in the remainder of the half, but good goalkeeping and poor finishing kept the tie level.
And it was a similar story in the second period, with Cuff and Jamie Sleigh shining for Stafford and Hereford hitting the bar for a second time.
But it was advantage Stafford in the 82nd minute when Cuff fired in a 25-yarder, before substitute Coyle danced past White in stoppage time to slot home Boro’s third.
NANTWICH TOWN are out of the FA Cup after losing 4-1 at Marine.
Marine took a fourth-minute lead when Joshua Hmami scored a 25yard free-kick.
And it stayed that way until the second half, before a nine-minute spell all-but settled the tie.
The Dabbers drew level in the 59th minute when a long ball over the top caused confusion in the home defence and Sean Cooke was on hand to lift the ball over the keeper and in to the net.
But Marine retook the lead two minutes later when Hmami was in the right place to slot home after the ball had been squared to him.
It was 3-1 to the hosts midway through the half when a cross to the back post found Anthony Miley to convert.
Nantwich had a trio of good chances to reduce the deficit as Cooke, Luke Walsh and Ben Harrison all went close.
However, the tie was wrapped up five minutes from time when Miley powered in a header from a corner to end the Dabbers’ interest in the competition.
KIDSGROVE ATHLETIC moved up to second place in the Northern Premier League South East Division with a 3-0 home victory over Market Drayton.
Scott Dundas’ side recorded their fourth win in five league games to move level on points with Belper, who top the standings by virtue of having a better goal difference.
Grove were heavy favourites to see off Market Drayton, who arrived at Hollinwood Road having lost all four league matches.
And it took Kidsgrove just seven minutes to break the deadlock as Kyle Diskin’s cross from the right found Jake Lovatt to tuck home.
Market Drayton, despite their struggles, had chances. Just before the half-hour, Brendan Price had a great opportunity, but dragged his shot wide.
The visitors had the ball in the back of the net in the 49th minute, but the ‘goal’ was ruled out for a foul on Kidsgrove keeper Kieran Harrison.
The game then hinged on a 60-second passage of play.
Sam Leyland hit the post for Market Drayton, before Grove went straight up the other end to double their advantage.
Kingsley Adu-gyamfi beat three
defenders, and although his shot was saved, Jack Bromfield was on hand to score his first goal for the club.
Kidsgrove put the seal on their latest success 11 minutes from time.
Diskin waltzed past two defenders on the edge of the box before finding the bottom corner to make it 3-0.
NEWCASTLE TOWN’S scheduled trip to Chasetown was called off because of coronavirus issues at the South Staffs club.
CONGLETON TOWN had to settle for a North West Counties League Premier Division point after a 2-2 home draw with Runcorn Town.
Arron Johns put Congleton ahead in the 18th minute, but Dale Jennings levelled on the half-hour.
Tom Schofield’s 67th-minute penalty appeared to have won it for the Bears, although there was a late sting in the tail.
Francois Antoine popped up two minutes from time to score to earn the visitors a point.
SANDBACH UNITED were beaten 2-1 at Vauxhall Motors in their Division One South match.
All of the goals arrived in the final 15 minutes of the contest.
Kieran Hamm put Motors ahead in the 75th minute, before Bobbie Mcdonnell levelled.
However, Hamm had the final say as he struck in the closing stages to leave Sandbach without reward.
IN the Midland League, BROCTON ran out 4-0 winners at Paget Rangers, while STAFFORD TOWN drew 2-2 at home with Chelmsley Town.