FA Cup round-up: Stockport beat Bolton in a cup classic

The FA Cup saved the best until last in the first round proper when Stockport County came from 2-0 down after just five minutes to win 5-3 in extra-time in an unforgettable night for the National League side as they knocked out League One Bolton Wanderers.

Stockport's own mistakes cost them, including Ash Palmer who's attempted clearance bounced back off his standing leg into the net. It seemed to be that kind of night for the Hatters but they persevered and Scott Quigley's header just before half-time to make it 2-3 gave them hope.

After the restart, Stockport were by far the better team and despite Ricardo Santos' best efforts for Bolton they eventually found a leveller. It was fitting that it was Palmer who was able to redeem his early effort by getting his head on a corner and giving goalkeeper Joel Dixon no chance.

In extra time, Quigley gave the home side the lead for the first time in the game after a great pass by Paddy Madden. Then, in the final minute of the second period, Oliver Crankshaw brought the house down when he made it five. Crankshaw took his shirt off to celebrate and the fans were on the pitch, by the time it was all over the player had lost his shirt and there was a corner flag missing. When the flag was returned and a new shirt found, the referee blew the final whistle and the celebrations started all over again.

What makes it even more remarkable is that this is the first time that Bolton Wanderers have lost to a non-league side in the FA Cup in 110 years when Chesterfield managed the same feat.

SCENES. @StockportCounty#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/ZVFI7R1ykL

— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) November 17, 2021

Magic of the cup

It was a team from the sixth tier who produced another surprising result when St. Albans defeated League Two leaders Forest Green Rovers. In other eyebrow-raising results, Bristol Rovers and Hartlepool United managed to eliminate League One opposition, although Stevenage did in the most dramatic fashion. 

MK Dons and Stevenage drew 2-2 in their first game forcing a replay. The Dons took the lead in the second game away to Stevenage but Josh Martin was sent off just before for half-time. That allowed Stevenage to group with a 61st-minute Jamie Reid equaliser sending the game to extra time. The drama wasn't over yet, in the 119th minute, MK Dons goalscorer Harry Darling was given his second yellow card after conceding a last-second penalty. Substitute Luke Norris dispatched the penalty to send Stevenage through.

There were plenty of 'nearly moments'. National League team Notts County stayed with League Two Rochdale until the 90th of minute of their replayed fixture after managing to hold the Dale to a 1-1 draw at the Spotland Stadium. Similarly, Solihull Moors of the National League North held League One side Wigan Athletic to a goalless draw at the DW Stadium. Solihull even took the lead in the replay but despite their resilience they were eventually knocked out by an extra-time goal from Callum Lang.

But perhaps the tie of the round was Halifax Town against Maidenhead United, where the Shaymen won 7-4 in an incredibly entertaining game. 

The round was not without controversy though. The FA are investigating Exeter City's 3-0 win over Bradford City as the Grecians made a sixth substitution – something that is only allowed in case of a concussion. Should Exeter be found guilty, they could be kicked out of the tournament. 

December's second round proper is the last stage before the introduction of the Championship and Premier League teams when the third round begins in January.

Second round proper fixtures: 

Gateshead v Charlton Athletic
Buxton v Morecambe
Bristol Rovers v Sutton United
Burton Albion v Port Vale
Lincoln City v Hartlepool United
AFC Wimbledon v Cheltenham Town
Leyton Orient v Tranmere Rovers
Cambridge United v Exeter City
Doncaster Rovers v Mansfield Town
Walsall v Swindon Town
Rotherham United v Stockport County
Carlisle United v Shrewsbury Town
Ipswich Town v Barrow
Portsmouth v Harrogate Town
Yeovil Town v Stevenage
Rochdale v Plymouth Argyle
Colchester United v Wigan Athletic
Kidderminster Harriers v Halifax Town
Salford City v Chesterfield
Boreham Wood v St Albans City