FA Cup roundup: Aldershot thrash Swindon 7-4, Stevenage deny Tranmere
As always FA Cup first round day was a mixture of shocks and near misses, with Tranmere looking set to give the lie to their place in League Two’s relegation zone against a Stevenage side in the League One playoff places but being denied at the last, while the National League side Aldershot ran out 7-4 winners at Swindon of League Two.
In a topsy-turvy game at Stevenage, Tranmere came from behind to lead 2-1 but were trailing 3-2 as the match entered added time. Kieron Morris then equalised but Jamie Reid – who had earlier scored a penalty to level at 2-2 – put Stevenage 4-3 up. The Tranmere substitute Joe Murphy was then shown a red card on the bench.
For Aldershot Jack Barham stunned Swindon as he struck twice in the opening four minutes, with Joshua Stokes soon adding a third. Lorent Tolaj scored twice in the second half, with Cian Harries also on target before Barham completed his hat-trick on the hour. Daniel Kemp and Charlie Austin both scored late braces for the home side, but it was too little too late.
Eighth-tier Ramsgate came from behind to pull off a shock 2-1 win over Woking at the WW Martin Community Stadium with an equaliser from TJ Jadama and Lee Martin’s late free-kick.
Scarborough, of National League North, were moments away from knocking out League Two’s Forest Green, who scored a stoppage-time equaliser through Olly Sully to snatch a 1-1 draw. Alex Wiles’ first-half goal had put the home side in front.
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Kyle Wootton hit four as the League Two leaders, Stockport, beat Worksop 5-1, which was also the scoreline in Crosby where Harrogate ran out comfortable winners over Marine. Barrow, of League Two, upset a Northampton side from the tier above with a 3-1 victory at Sixfields.
A managerless Bristol Rovers side beat Whitby 7-2, while Stephen Clemence got off to a winning start in his first game in charge of Gillingham with a 2-0 victory at Hereford.
The Southern League Premier League side Bracknell lost 2-1 at Cambridge, but Yeovil of National League South held on to beat Gateshead 3-2 at Huish Park.
Alfreton are also in the draw for the second round after they beat Worthing 2-0, along with Eastleigh after a 5-1 victory over Boreham Wood, while 10-man Barnet battled to a 1-0 win at Curzon Ashton.
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Reading put their off-field problems behind them with a 3-2 home win over MK Dons, Bolton were 4-0 winners over Solihull Moors.
Later on Saturday, the National League side Bromley saw their hopes ended with a 2-0 defeat by Blackpool at Hayes Lane. Shayne Lavery gave the League One visitors an early lead, with Karamoko Dembele adding a well-worked second after 28 minutes.