Stafford Rangers crash out of FA Cup at first hurdle - non-league round-up

The Boro have only been beyond the second qualifying round once since 2020 and Saturday's extra preliminary tie at Marston Road will be filed under another to forget thanks to a last-gasp sting in the tail.

Neil Kitching's men were seen off 1-0 by the Leicestershire visitors, who operate in the division below at step five of the non-league pyramid and struck with seconds to go.

Elimination also means missing out on prize money and a home preliminary tie against local rivals Chasetown on August 16.

The Northern One West hosts had much the better of the first period, where attacker Zidan Sutherland crashed the bar in the early stages and Scott Wara headed wide, but could not find the breakthrough.

Lutterworth upped the ante after the break in front of more than 500 fans and it paid off in the 89th minute when Simon Alcott turned in acrobatically with an overhead kick from close range after a scrambled corner.

Dudley Town progressed through two rounds last season and are eyeing a similar run having secured a 3-1 success at Heanor Town.

"It was a superb away performance against really tough opposition," said boss Matty Lovatt. "Elements of the win really impressed us, we haven't come here and sat back, we were positive and stuck to a game plan. It was superb from the lads."

Harry Crook opened the scoring in the seventh minute before Jordan Davies' stunner doubled the lead shortly afterwards. 

Heanor pulled one back before the break put Joe Buckley put the seal on progress for the Robins, who will visit Coventry Sphinx in the next stage.

Lye Town also booked their spot in the preliminary round with a 2-0 win at Hereford Pegasus.

Second-half goals from Sam Hall, shortly after the interval, and a key second from Alfie Didlock with 15 minutes remaining sets up a home tie against Racing Club Warwick in two weekends.

Stafford Rangers were not the only side to endure last-minute heartache as Darlaston Town and AFC Wolverhampton City suffered similarly.

City - previously AFC Wulfrunians - looked comfortable against Shepshed Dynamo having taken a 2-0 home lead 10 minutes into the second period as Danny Munday's penalty added to Macara McNulty-Harnett's fine opener.

But the visitors hit back with a quickfire double after the hour and Jude Collins fired in a rising stoppage-time winner.

Jake Collins put Darlaston ahead early on the road at Pershore, but the hosts equalised in the first half and Archie Thompson broke Black Country hearts with a 95th-minute winner.

Lichfield City crashed out after a 3-1 defeat at Hanley, in which they were 3-0 down at the interval.

Brocton fell to a 2-1 defeat at Bedworth United and Tividale were seen off 3-1 at home by Clay Cross Town.

Stafford Town made it three wins from three in the North West Counties First Division South with a strong second half to see off visitors Cammell Laird 4-1.

James May scored the crucial goals two and three for the hosts, who are second as one of two sides with perfect records.

Wolves Sporting have opened up their First Division South campaign with three defeats in as many games after a narrow home reverse to Ashville. A 25th-minute penalty was the different between the sides.

Wolves Casuals are also winless and lost for a second time in three games with a 3-2 defeat on the road at New Mills.

National North Kidderminster Harriers signed off for pre-season with a 2-1 home defeat to higher-ranked Solihull Moors, who fought back from Kurt Willoughby's early strike.

Northern Premier Rushall Olympic saw off Chasetown 3-0 at Dales Lane with goals from Osaze Okuonghae, Jaden Charles and Mitch Botfield. 

A No.9 Derby friendly between Stourbridge and Halesowen went the way of the latter at their Grove home. A trialist and Kyle Finn scored late for a 2-0 win in the Brookes-Clark Charity Shield.

Hednesford Town won 4-3 against a PFA showcase XI - with Dan Turner, Jonny Edwards, Ahkeem Rose and Dan Trickett-Smith netting.