With the worst of the weather now in the past, last week's scheduled FA Trophy matches were finally able to take place this midweek.
Histon's First Round clash with Maidstone United finally took place at the seventh attempt but the tie doesn't appear to be settled yet. Despite a 3-0 win for Alan Lewer's side, it appears young loanee Jack Werndly was not eligible to appear in the match and The Stutes face the possibility of expulsion from the competition, which would see Maidstone travel to Salisbury in the next round instead.
Current holders Stevenage had no issues progressing to the last sixteen, running out 6-0 winners in their home tie with Vauxhall Motors. One Conference side did fall to a surprise defeat, as Rushden and Diamonds slumped 2-1 at Workington.
Crawley Town also fell to lower league opposition as Dave Rainford's penalty secured a 2-1 win for Chelmsford City. The only other Conference side to fall to a defeat was in one of two all-Conference clashes, as Wimbledon beat Altrincham 3-1 at Kingsmeadow. The other clash between sides from the same league saw Danny Crow score at both ends of the pitch in the space of 99 seconds as Cambridge United came from 2-0 to earn a result for the fourth time this season, this time against Eastbourne.
Kidderminster were the only other side to score three, as caretaker manager John Finnigan's last game before Steve Burr's appointment saw Harriers see off Lewes 3-2 with a late Gavin Canes winner.
In addition to Lee Boylan scoring for Stevenage and Darryl Knights netting for Kidderminster, another former Cambridge United player also hit the target as Barrow won 1-0 at Maidenhead. Gateshead and Oxford both won by the same scoreline, The Tynesiders beating Chippenham Town and Matt Green scoring for Oxford against Woking.
Tamworth will have to try again to see off Gainsborough Trinity after a scoreless draw, as too will York after they drew a blank at Newport County. The last results involved non-Conference clubs, with wins for Corby Town, Dover Athletic and Guiseley AFC, and a 1-1 draw between Worcester City and Carshalton Athletic.
Two league fixtures took place on Tuesday, with struggling Chester and Ebbsfleet both falling to home defeats. Ebbsfleet lost 2-1 to Kettering while a club record low of 425 fans saw Chester succumb 1-0 to Salisbury.
Trophy Replays take place next week ahead of the Third Round on Saturday 30th January, with attentions returning to league action this weekend.
Matt Ramsay
