Newark, AFC Mansfield and West Bridgford FC are all through to the FA Cup Preliminary Round stage after a memorable night on Tuesday ended in celebration following three of the six Notts clubs in action winning their Extra Preliminary Round ties.
West Bridgford making only their second ever-appearance in the competition enjoyed their first ever FA Cup win but did it the hard way at Regatta Way as they were held by their East Midlands League counterparts Dunkirk before settling the match on penalties.
Dunkirk took the lead on the night when Grant Tobin’s floated free kick found Jordan Alls who headed home nine minutes after half time but Bridgford levelled on 72 as Whitehurst struck from the spot sending the keeper the wrong way after Kenton-Bradshaw brought down his man.
Dunkirk had a header cleared off the line with chances at both ends to win an exciting match before the Referee called time and the game went into spot kicks.
With the first three penalties scored Price stepped up for Dunkirk and had his penalty saved by Fogg before Wallace made it 3-1 and with the next three scored it was left for Whitehurst to smash home to take the home side through 5-3 as West Bridgford coolly slotted home all their pens to set up a home tie in the next round against Lincoln United.
In another local derby between Nottinghamshire clubs AFC Mansfield got the better of Sherwood Colliery at the Forest Town Arena winning 2-1 on the night to set up a tie against Cleethorpes Town away.
Mansfield struck the lead on 20 minutes when Ross Duggan hit a thunderbolt from long range but an own goal on the stroke of half time by Jack Harrison left the scores level at the break.
As the home side pressed in the second half it was Luke Walker on the hour who put the Bulls in the lead as he chased on to a loose ball to prod home past Josh Turton and despite late pressure from Sherwood, AFC clung on to reach the next stage of the world’s oldest knockout competition.
It was a good night for Newark FC too as they won on their first ever outing in the competition.
The tangerines beat Deeping Rangers 4-0 at Hawton Lane and will face a trip to Maltby Main in the next round.
Finally not so good an evening for Radford FC who were beaten on penalties by Shepshed Dynamo. After the tie ended 1-1 at Selhurst Street the Leicestershire based opponents won 4-3 on penalties to go through.
Tonight Carlton Town will host Loughborough University at the Bill Stokeld Stadium in extra preliminary round action whilst Selston travel to Bottesford Town of Lincolnshire as they aim to like Newark, West Bridgford and AFC Mansfield, reach the next round.
*Main image @DunkirkFC action from Regatta Way between West Bridgford & Dunkirk.
