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NPL sides await FA Cup fate as big-hitters advance

The journey to Wembley began for the sides in the Northern Premier League’s top division this weekend, as the first qualifying round provided few giant killings.

The league leaders in the Northern Premier League, Hyde United, travelled to Broadhurst Park for an all-Premier Division clash with FC United of Manchester, which ended 3-3.

Despite having a two-goal advantage in second-half added time, the hosts pulled off a miraculous comeback, levelling things up late and forcing a replay on Tuesday at the Project Solar Stadium.

Ashton United, another one of the early pace-setters, fell to their first defeat of the season in another top division match-up at Guiseley.

The Lions ran out convincing 3-0 winners to continue their solid start to the season.

The remaining sides currently in the NPL play-offs were all successful in their ties, as Macclesfield beat Tadcaster Albion 3-0, Worksop Town scored three first half goals to ensure a 3-2 win over Stratford Town, and Hebburn Town earned revenge on Workington after the Reds defeated them in league action on Monday.

The only other NPL side to crash out of the competition this weekend were Prescot Cables, who fell to a surprise 2-1 defeat away at Northern League Division One side Newcastle Benfield.

A few sides from the Northern Premier League will be in replay action in midweek. First, Matlock Town will host Southern Premier League Central side Spalding United after their game ended in a 0-0 stalemate.

Elsewhere, Lancaster City drew their sixth game in a row. The Dolly Blues’ tie with NWCFL side Barnoldswick Town also finished goalless.

Blyth Spartans will also be battling things out in a midweek replay too, as NCEL outfit Campion held them to a 1-1 draw.

NPL East Division side Newton Aycliffe travelled to Bamber Bridge and earned themselves a replay at the Securicorp Stadium after a 1-1 draw.

And NPL West Division side Mossley battled hard against Whitby Town, forcing a replay after a 2-2 draw.

The remaining Northern Premier League sides made no mistake in their ties and will learn their next round opponents when the draw for the second qualifying round is made on Monday at 1pm.

Results - FA Cup first qualifying round (ties involving NPL Premier teams)

Bamber Bridge 1-1 Newton Aycliffe
Basford United 6-1 Sporting Khalsa
Campion 1-1 Blyth Spartans
FC United of Manchester 3-3 Hyde United
Gainsborough Trinity 2-1 AFC Telford United
Guiseley 3-0 Ashton United
Heanor Town 0-1 Ilkeston Town
Lancaster City 0-0 Barnoldswick Town
Leek Town 2-0 Ashby Ivanhoe
Mickleover 5-0 Coleshill Town
Morpeth Town 1-0 Emley
Mossley 2-2 Whitby Town
Newcastle Benfield 2-1 Prescot Cables
Spalding United 0-0 Matlock Town
Stockton Town 1-0 Widnes
Stratford Town 2-3 Worksop Town
Tadcaster Albion 0-3 Macclesfield
Warrington Rylands 4-0 Thackley
Workington 0-1 Hebburn Town