FA Cup round-up | Four NPL sides through as Diamonds cause major upset

One of the upsets of the round came at Hayden Road, where AFC Rushden & Diamonds came from behind to beat National League South side Braintree Town 2-1.

Jacob Mensah's header put Braintree ahead midway through the first half, but Tejan Thomas nodded Diamonds back on level terms before half-time.

Then, 10 minutes from time, James Clifton fired home the winner which sealed Diamonds' spot in fourth round qualifying for the first time in 10 years.

Also defeating Step 2 opposition were FC United of Manchester, who ran out impressive 3-0 winners at Worksop Town.

First-half goals from Jordan Buckley and Michael Donohue gave Mark Beesley's side a healthy advantage at the break against their National League North opponents.

And despite Worksop applying plenty of second-half pressure, it was Matty Grivosti who netted FC United's third to seal safe passage into the next round.

The other two NPL sides assured of a place in fourth round qualifying are Bury and Guiseley, who overcame Bromsgrove Sporting and Bradford (Park Avenue) respectively.

In front of more than 3,300 fans at Salford Van Hire Gigg Lane, it didn't take Bury long to get themselves up-and-running against Bromsgrove, with George Glendon finding the opener after just seven minutes.

Mo Touray doubled the Shakers' lead just before the hour, and although Bromsgrove pulled one back in second-half stoppage time, it proved to be a consolation as Anthony Johnson's side held on to advance.

Guiseley, meanwhile, bounced back from their midweek defeat at Alfreton Town by edging past NPL East Division high-flyers Bradford.

Avenue had overcome NPL Premier Division opposition in the previous two rounds in Curzon Ashton and Lancaster City, but there would be no hat-trick as Elliot Owen's first-half effort proved to be the difference.

Ian Richards' Lions have now lost just one of their last eight matches in all competitions.

Two more Step 4 NPL sides, Stafford Rangers and Atherton Collieries, will also be in Monday's draw for the next round but must win their respective replays to advance.

In front of a sell-out crowd, Stafford had led Halesowen Town 1-0 thanks to Mitch Clarke's header inside the final quarter.

But at the death, Vany Silva rescued a draw for Southern League side Halesowen, meaning the two will go again on Tuesday night.

Atherton Collieries were the beneficiaries of a late equaliser themselves away at Step 5 side Trafford.

Kielen Adams' finish had Colls one up at half-time, before two goals in 10 second-half minutes saw Trafford turn the game around.

With time running out though, Essa Janneh found the leveller for Danny Lafferty's Colls, meaning the two will also meet for a second time on Tuesday night.

For the remainder of the NPL sides in third round qualifying, Saturday proved to be the end of their latest cup adventure.

Goals from Ashley Jackson and Connor Brown were ultimately in vain for Gainsborough Trinity as they fell to a 3-2 home defeat against Anstey Nomads.

Meanwhile, Warrington Town and Coventry United fell to two-goal defeats away at Marine and Leiston respectively.

The draw for the next round will be made at around 2pm on Monday, live on talkSPORT.

All results involving Northern Premier League sides* are listed below:

Results - FA Cup third round qualifying

AFC Rushden & Diamonds 2-1 Braintree Town
Bury 2-1 Bromsgrove Sporting
Gainsborough Trinity 2-3 Anstey Nomads
Guiseley 1-0 Bradford (Park Avenue)
Leiston 3-1 Coventry United
Marine 2-0 Warrington Town
Stafford Rangers 1-1 Halesowen Town
Trafford 2-2 Atherton Collieries
Worksop Town 0-3 FC United of Manchester

Fixtures - FA Cup third round qualifying replays

Atherton Collieries vs Trafford

Halesowen Town vs Stafford Rangers

*Bold signifies Northern Premier League team