FA Trophy round-up | Three giant killings and penalty drama as five NPL sides progress

All five who progressed did so by knocking out Step 2 opposition.

Northern Premier League leaders and last season’s semi-finalists Macclesfield pulled off the biggest giant killing by knocking off Curzon Ashton, who sit third in the National League North.

The Silkmen were mere seconds away from progressing in normal time, but a 96th minute equaliser from Isaac Buckley-Ricketts took the game to penalties.

Nevertheless, Robbie Savage’s side were able to hold their nerve in the shootout, scoring all their spot-kicks on the way to a 5-3 victory.

Warrington Rylands also toppled a side in the National League North play-offs, as they came from behind to knock out Scunthorpe United at Glandford Park.

Matty Regan’s strike on 53 minutes was enough to secure a 2-1 win, after striker George Waring had cancelled out Kian Scales’ opener.

Gainsborough Trinity continued their strong record in cup competitions this season by securing a narrow 1-0 win over Chester.

The Holy Blues left it late to claim victory, Declan Howe latching onto a dropped ball from Chester keeper Elyn Harrison to tap in his 17th goal of the season in all competitions.

Elsewhere, a dominant display from Stockton Town saw them progress thanks to a 3-1 win over Scarborough Athletic.

Basford United travelled to National League South opposition and came out the victors, triumphing 2-1 at St Albans City.

All the goals came in the second half, with McKeal Abdullah and Jordan Hallam getting on the scoresheet either side of the hour mark.

Worksop Town, the side currently second in the Northern Premier League, fell to defeat at Radcliffe, who came from two behind to win 3-2 at the Neuven Stadium.

Having seen Danny Greenfield mark his Radcliffe debut with an 86th minute equaliser, substitute Mworina Doro struck in the fifth minute of stoppage time to complete a remarkable turnaround. 

They weren’t the only side to fall to National League North opposition, however. 

NPL Midlands Division side Sporting Khalsa were convincingly beaten 5-0 by Oxford City, and Bamber Bridge fell to a narrow 1-0 home defeat to Farsley Celtic.

In the other games featuring NPL sides, Coleshill Town led 3-0 at half-time but lost a nine-goal thriller against Biggleswade Town, who scored in the dying embers to win 5-4.

And Chasetown were unable to ride the luck in a penalty shootout after their tie at Alvechurch finished goalless.

The sides who progressed to the third round will find out their opponents on Monday 18 November.

The draw will be broadcast on talkSPORT 2 from 3:15pm

FA Trophy results involving Northern Premier League sides:

• Alvechurch 0-0 Chasetown (5-4 pens)
• Bamber Bridge 0-1 Farsley Celtic
• Coleshill Town 4-5 Biggleswade Town
• Curzon Ashton 2-2 Macclesfield (3-5 pens)
• Gainsborough Trinity 1-0 Chester
• Oxford City 5-0 Sporting Khalsa
• Radcliffe 3-2 Worksop Town
• Scunthorpe United 1-2 Warrington Rylands
• St Albans City 1-2 Basford United
• Stockton Town 3-1 Scarborough Athletic