CUP: LDV VANS TROPHY ROUND-UP
There was some success for Nationwide Conference clubs in the LDV Vans Trophy this week as Carlisle United, Accrington Stanley, Exeter City and Hereford United all beat Football League opposition to progress to the second round of the competition.
Northern section
Carlisle continued their excellent form with a 2-1 win over League Two club Grimsby at Brunton Park on Tuesday night. Kevin Henderson put The Cumbrians in front in the fourth minute and Simon Grand grabbed the winner 20 minutes from time after Colin Cramb had equalised on the stroke of half time for the visitors.
Accrington, also riding high in the Nationwide Conference after an excellent start to the season, will join Carlisle in the Northern Section Second Round draw after their 2-1 victory at Bradford City on Wednesday night.
Mike Flynn gave the underdogs the lead in the 27th minute at Valley Parade, but The Bantams hit back just two minutes later through on-loan Coventry striker Dele Adebola. However, Stanley battled right to the end against the League One outfit and were celebrating a famous victory after Lee McEvilly's 88th-minute strike.
Southern section
There was success in the Southern half of the competition for both Exeter and Hereford, who progressed after winning on penalties against League Two opponents.
It was a close contest between two teams lying second in their respective divisions as
The Bulls took the lead at home against Scunthorpe United on Tuesday night, before being pegged back in the second half. But Hereford held their nerve in the spot-kick shoot-out after a goalless extra time to book their place in the next round.
The Grecians also progressed to Round Two after winning their penalty contest against Oxford United 3-1. The match finished 2-2 after 90 minutes and extra time, but it was only a last-minute goal from Jamie Hand that had given Oxford a stay of execution after Exeter had come back from a goal down to lead through Jake Edwards and Alexandre Jeannin.
Meanwhile, Nationwide Conference leaders Barnet, favourites to go through against divisional rivals Stevenage, did not disappoint. All the goals came in the second half of their meeting at Underhill on Tuesday as The Bees beat the Boro 3-1; Nicky Bailey scoring twice - once from the spot - and Lee Roache securing victory in the last minute.
Second Round draw
All five teams will now be looking forward to the draw for the Second Round, which will be made live on Soccer AM on Sky Sports this Saturday morning.
Those unable to overcome the odds and emulate such giant-killing feats included Morecambe, and Woking, who were beaten 3-0 by Huddersfield and LEyton Orient respectively; Scarborough, who suffered a 4-1 defeat at Rochdale; Aldershot, who lost 1-0 to Wycombe; Dagenham & Redbridge: 5-1 losers at Cheltenham, and York, who were seen off by Blackpool, 2-0 at Bootham Crescent.
