FA Trophy round-up | Seven-goal thriller in Loughborough as Matlock and Bootle hit five
It was another busy weekend of FA Trophy action, with 16 NPL Step 4 sides advancing to third round qualifying.
Arguably the game of the round came at the Loughborough University Stadium, where Loughborough Students won a seven-goal thriller against Chasetown.
Leading 4-1 at home, a pair of late Chasetown goals set up a grandstand finish, but there would be no all-important equaliser for the Scholars.
It was a far more comfortable afternoon for Matlock Town and Bootle, who secured impressive 5-1 wins against Nuneaton Town and Silsden respectively.
There were two goals apiece for Jed Abbey and Conor Washington as Matlock eased past NPL Midlands Division opposition to reach the next round.
For Bootle, the in-form Ben Hodkinson added another to his tally for the season, setting his side on their way to a convincing victory on the road.
Three of the 16 all-NPL ties went to penalties, with Guisborough Town, Hallam and Prescot Cables holding their nerve in the shootout to advance.
Hallam's triumph at home to Runcorn Linnets was particularly impressive given they haven't won any of their opening seven league games and were also dumped out of the FA Cup at the extra preliminary round stage.
Elsewhere, there were convincing 3-0 wins for NPL West Division Stafford Rangers and Shifnal Town, while Blyth Spartans of the East Division scored four without reply at Wythenshawe.
The draw for the next round will be released at 1pm on Monday, with Step 3 sides entering the competition at the third qualifying round stage.
All results involving Northern Premier League sides* are listed below:
Results - FA Trophy second round qualifying
Ashington 1-1 Guisborough Town (Guisborough Town win 4-3 on penalties)
Boldmere St Michaels 1-3 Bedworth United
Bourne Town 3-2 Hanley Town
Bridlington Town 3-2 Congleton Town
Hallam 1-1 Runcorn Linnets (Hallam win 5-3 on penalties)
Kidsgrove Athletic 0-3 Stafford Rangers
Loughborough Students 4-3 Chasetown
Matlock Town 5-1 Nuneaton Town
Mickleover 2-1 Sutton Coldfield Town
Morpeth Town 0-1 Dunston
Nantwich Town 2-3 Wellingborough Town
Pontefract Collieries 1-1 Prescot Cables (Prescot Cables win 5-4 on penalties)
Shifnal Town 3-0 Shepshed Dynamo
Silsden 1-5 Bootle
Stalybridge Celtic 3-2 Lower Breck
Wythenshawe 0-4 Blyth Spartans
*Bold signifies Northern Premier League team