FA TROPHY: Third round round-up
There were several shocks in the third round of the FA Trophy as some of the Nationwide Conference's big names became the victims of a giant-killing.
Aldershot Town were beaten by Nationwide South side Thurrock on Sunday as Kris Lee scored the only goal of the game.
Dagenham & Redbridge also fell to Nationwide South opposition as they were beaten at home by Bishop's Stortford. Striker Steve Morrison scored in the 8th and 21st minutes to rock The Daggers, whose last-minute reply from Anwar Uddin was too little, too late.
Scarborough were beaten by Nationwide North side Barrow as Neil Tarrant and Gavin Knight scored in the second minute of each half respectively to help the Cumbrian club to a 2-1 win over the Seadogs.
Forest Green Rovers may be mounting a strong challenge to climb out of the relegation zone in the Nationwide Conference, but they're cup dreams were ruined by Southern League promotion hopefuls Aylesbury United. The Ducks went two up thanks to goals from Dean Cracknell and Leon Gutzmore, and held on for a 2-1 win following Dean Powles's own goal.
FA Cup heroes Exeter may have their minds on Wednesday night's televised replay with Manchester United, but they were relieved to escape an embarrassing early exit in the Trophy as they came back from 2-0 down to earn a draw against Ryman Premier side Billericay. Jake Edwards and Sean Devine scored in the last six minutes to earn The Grecians another cup replay, and all minds will now be focussed on the return match against the Premiership giants.
There were no problems for Conference leaders Barnet, who beat divisional rivals Farnborough 1-0 with a Nicky Bailey goal, while Carlisle, playing at Workington's ground on Sunday due to the recent flooding of Brunton Park, saw off Redditch United with a 3-1 win.
Burton Albion continued their recent impressive form with a 3-0 win over Conference rivals York City as Barry Miller, Jon Shaw and Kris Taylor all found the net to put The Brewers in the fourth round, where they will meet Hednesford Town - 1-0 winners against Worcester City.
Trophy holders Canvey Island also enjoyed a 3-0 success, over Bath City, with two goals from Ollie Berquez and one from Lee Boylan. Canvey will now play Aylesbury United in round four.
Crawley Town had to work a little harder for their victory as they came from two down in the last 17 minutes to beat Worthing. Charlie MacDonald scored in the 73rd and 79th minutes to put the home side back on level terms, and Danny Davidson hit the winner five minutes from time.
Conference rivals Accrington Stanley and Hereford drew 0-0, as did Gravesend & Northfleet and Eastbourne Borough, and Nationwide North leaders Kettering and promotion chasers Alfreton Town. Alfreton won the replay of that tie on Tuesday night, setting up a fourth round meeting with Woking, while Gravesend beat Eastbourne 1-0 in their return match and Hereford were 4-0 winners over Accrington.
Conference strugglers Northwich produced a minor upset as they beat high-flying Halifax 1-0, but the division's bottom team Leigh RMI suffered further disappointment as they went out to Altrincham - losing 2-1 to the Nationwide North team.
Morecambe progressed to the fourth round with a 2-1 win over Sutton Coldfield Town, coming from behind with second half goals from Terry McFlynn and Wayne Curtis, while Tamworth thrashed Gresley Rovers 5-0 and Woking beat Stevenage 1-0 in another all-Conference match-up.
There were several all-Nationwide South ties, as Cambridge City beat Redbridge 3-1 and Havant & Waterlooville won 1-0 at St Albans, while the division's leaders Gray's Athletic enjoyed a 2-0 victory at Sutton United.
Hucknall Town earned an excellent 2-2 draw at Nationwide North rivals Southport - and beat them 1-0 in the replay - while Vauxhall Motors drew 1-1 with Lancaster, who will face local rivals Morecambe in the next round if they can win the replay.
Hayes had to settle for a 1-1 draw with Yate Town, but came through their replay to earn themselves a meeting with Eastwood Town in the last 32.
The full fourth round draw is as follows:
Hereford United v Hyde United
Alfreton Town v Woking
Altrincham v Barrow
Aylesbury United v Canvey Island
Bishop's Stortford v Leyton
Burton Albion v Hednesford Town
Cambridge City v Crawley Town
Carlisle United v Barnet
Eastwood Town v Hayes
Gravesend & Northfleet v Histon
Grays Athletic v Havant & Waterlooville
Northwich Victoria v Hucknall Town
Slough Town v Thurrock
Stamford v Walton & Hersham
Tamworth v Billericay Town or Exeter City
Vauxhall Motors or Lancaster City v Morecambe
Ties are scheduled for Saturday 5th February.
