Saturday saw the entrance of Football League teams into this season's FA Cup, with eleven of the thirty-six matches featuring sides from the Blue Square Premier, with one more facing off on Sunday.
Three sides from the division confirmed their place in the Second Round after recording victories, while success in replays could see as many as five more sides make it through to the next stage. Despite being overshadowed by Blyth Spartans' win over Shrewsbury and Curzon Ashton's triumph over Exeter, Histon were the biggest winners from the top division of non-league football after they saw off League One Swindon Town.
Danny Wright's scrambled goal midway through the second half proved the key moment as it sealed a 1-0 scoreline, while the match was also memorable for The Stutes believing they had gone a goal up before the match official decided that nobody had touched a long throw that went straight in, despite initially awarding a goal.
Kidderminster Harriers were the only side to win an all-Blue Square Premier match-up as Justin Richards' penalty sealed a 1-0 triumph over Cambridge United. Tim Sills struck a brace as Torquay United extended their excellent unbeaten run in The Gulls' 2-0 home win over Evesham. The visitors missed a penalty with only a goal between the sides to miss out on potential glory.
The only other tie between sides from the same division saw a goalless draw between Eastbourne Borough and Barrow, meaning the sides must travel the length of the country for the replay. Kettering Town secured their place in Sunday's draw with a 1-1 scoreline at home to Lincoln City, both goals coming in the final six minutes, while Grays Athletic put their abysmal away league form behind them by holding Carlisle to the same score.
Altrincham and Oxford United both secured 0-0 draws in their matches, although the sides will have differing reactions. Altrincham secured a replay against Football League side Luton Town after holding them away from home, yet Oxford were unable to break down Dorchester Town at The Kassam Stadium.
The final three matches featuring Blue Square Premier sides saw each of them bow out to higher placed opponents. Stevenage Borough were undone 3-0 at Leicester City, Ebbsfleet United lost to a single goal at Crewe with former Cambridge United target Clayton Donaldson netting the winner, and Mansfield Town slumped 3-1 at Chesterfield.
Aside from Blyth Spartans and Curzon Ashton, other so-called minnows to reach the next stage on Saturday were Alfreton Town, whose 4-2 win over Bury Town included a Leo Fortune-West header, and Eastwood Town following their 2-1 home win versus Brackley. Leiston and Fleetwood Town must replay after a goalless draw, Droylsden earned a replay after holding Darlington away from home, while AFC Telford were denied the scalp of Southend United by an injury time goal.
The final non-league teams in action were Sutton United, who fell 1-0 at home to Notts County, and Harlow, beaten 2-0 at home by Macclesfield Town after holding on for more than an hour.
Following early exits from Cup action this year, two Blue Square Premier matches took place on Saturday. Burton Albion moved top of the division, albeit having played a game more, as they left managerless Northwich Victoria three points from safety courtesy of Shaun Harrad's long-range effort. Daryl Clare struck the only goal as Rushden and Diamonds moved above their opponents Weymouth on goal difference, only four points away from the playoffs in tenth.
Matt Ramsay
