Bilston Town rewarded with home FA Vase tie after reaching fourth round for first time in more than 30 years - round-up
Bilston Town have been rewarded with a home draw in the fourth round of the FA Vase after a sensational victory on their travels.
Dave King's men booked their place at this stage of the national knockout competition for the first time since the 1992/93 season with a stunning 3-0 victory at Northampton ON Chenecks.
Bilston were roared on by 200 travelling fans as their side marched on with the Wembley dream still alive having now progressed through four stages of the competition they entered at the second qualifying round stage.
Midland League Division One side Bilston have been rewarded for their progress with a fourth round tie at home against Gresley Rovers at Queen Street.
Gresley play in the United Counties Division One North, at the same step six level of non-league as Bilston, and booked their place with a 1-0 home victory against Desborough Town. Gresley are currently 12th.
It was a case of unbridled joy for Bilston as three second-half goals did the damage in Northampton. Louie Newbold opened the scoring with a rocket before a late Harry Dixon double put the seal on a memorable afternoon to reach round four for just a third time.
Gornal Athletic's third round tie at home to Grantham Town was rained off following a pitch inspection.
The Peacocks will instead welcome their Lincolnshire visitors on Saturday.
An away tie at Leicestershire league rivals Heather St. John's is the reward for whoever progresses.
Fourth round ties take on Saturday, January 17 and are worth £1,875 to the winner. Bilston pocketed £1,125 for Saturday's third round victory.
Much of the action involving Bilston and Gornal's Division One rivals was a washout thanks to the conditions - but Cradley Town and Smethwick Rangers were rewarded for receiving the green flag.
Cradley picked up just a fifth win of the season to move to within goal difference of escaping the bottom three.
A 3-1 victory at Lutterworth Athletic also hauled them to within four points of the 16th-placed hosts. Kane Harrold, with two, and Callum North were on target.
Smethwick climbed to 11th with a 1-0 home win over top-half AFC North Kilworth thanks to Jack White's winner on the hour.
Tividale are up to 11th in the Premier Division having survived the rain to see off lowly Studley 4-1 at home.
Spencer Bailey, Alfie Higgs and a Brad Maslen-Jones double did the damage for Tivi.
Leading marksman Matthew Hearsey netted a hat-trick as Stafford Town climbed to third by seeing off third-bottom Shawbury United 5-0 in North West Counties First Division South.
Hearsey's opener was the only goal of the first half but he followed it up with two more before James Wilson and Josh Sutton struck late on.
