St Albans City produced the surprise of the FA Cup first round so far with a 3-2 home win over Forest Green Rovers.
The Saints, currently second in National League South, fell behind to Matty Stevens’ near-post finish after 18 minutes but were level eight minutes later, Mitchell Weiss heading home to spark wild scenes at Clarence Park.
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St Albans took the lead 29 minutes in as Zane Banton fired home from Shaun Jeffers’ flick on. The League Two leaders struck what looked like a telling blow just before half time as Jack Aitchison finished into the far corner.
The hosts continued to cause problems at set pieces, but retook the lead on the counter with 12 minutes left. Jeffers was on hand to finish after Michael Weiss had slipped a pass beyond the onrushing keeper. Rovers pushed for an equaliser but Saints keeper Michael Johnson denied Aitchison and Josh March at the death.
“I’m so pleased for the club, the players and the fans because they’ve not had days like this for some time,” said manager Ian Allinson as St Albans reached the second round for the first time in 25 years.
“This is amazing, it’s what dreams are made of,” match winner Jeffers told the BBC. “They’re top of the league and flying but we knew we’d have a chance. I dare to dream, because we had to to get though this game. We’ll enjoy the draw and see who we get.”
The non-league side are sponsored by local band Enter Shikari, who were at the game and tweeted their support. “GET INNNN! @stalbanscityfc into the 2nd round of the @EmiratesFACup!!!” St Albans will find out their next opponents when the second round draw is made on Monday evening.
View image in fullscreenBen Whitfield celebrates his equaliser for Stockport. Photograph: James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Elsewhere, Stockport County earned a replay with Bolton after a 2-2 draw at the University of Bolton Stadium. More than five thousand away fans made the trip across Greater Manchester and saw Scott Quigley put the National League side into an early lead.
Eoin Doyle levelled for the League One hosts from Lloyd Isgrove’s cross, and Wanderers went ahead when Elias Kachunga fired home. But moments before half-time, Paddy Madden picked out Ben Whitfield with a through ball and he levelled for the visitors in manager Dave Challinor’s first game in charge.
Notts County also earned a replay as Kyle Wootton’s strike just beyond the hour mark secured a 1-1 draw at Rochdale. Seventh-tier Stratford Town took a shock lead at home to Shrewsbury, but two goals from Ryan Bowman helped the visitors turn things round as they won 5-1.
In Sunday’s early kick-offs, Plymouth held Sheffield Wednesday to a goalless draw at Hillsborough while Antony Evans’ late penalty secured a replay for Bristol Rovers as they drew 2-2 at Oxford United.
