National League Sides Avoid Emirates FA Cup Upsets

Captain for the night James Clifton led the way with two goals for the Pilgrims in the 20th and 60th minutes, with Jay Rollins on 30 minutes, Gregg Smith on 63 minutes and Kabongo Tshimanga with a stoppage time penalty also on target in a dominant away performance.

Boston's reward is a trip to another `giantkiller`, AFC Mansfield.

Boston`s struggling league rivals FC United of Manchester also avoided their potential banana skin by hammering Toolstation Northern Counties East League Premier Division visitors Handsworth Parramore 6-2 at Broadhurst Park.

The Reds` nerves were settled by taking an early 4th minute lead through Mike Connor.

The lead was doubled in the 15th minute through Jason Gilchrist, and hopes of an upset in the 623 crowd virtually disappeared when Connor McCarthy made it 3-0 just 3 minutes later.

Sub Joel Logan added number four for the hosts 7 minutes before half-time.

McCarthy tucked in his second of the game to make it a nap hand on 65 minutes, but the Parras pulled two back in 2 minutes midway through the second half from Oscar Radford and Pat Lindley, only for McCarthy to complete his hat-trick 2 minutes from time to make the final score 6-2.

Another National League North side avoiding an upset were Alfreton Town, who travelled to Northamptonshire to take on Evo-Stik League South East hosts AFC Rushden & Diamonds.

The Reds took the lead midway through the first half, thanks to a header from Tom Allan.

But Diamonds equalised right on the stroke of half-time with a 25-yard effort from Luke Fairlamb.

But on 71 minutes, Alfreton re-took the lead with a goal from even further out by Ricky German, whose free-kick whizzed past Ben Heath in the home goal.

And the visitors made sure of their progress with a third late on when German profited from a fortunate deflection.

National League South outfit Hemel Hempstead Town came through a tricky away replay at Bostik Premier Wingate & Finchley with a 2-1 win.

However, it wasn`t until after an extra half-hour following a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes.

Wingate took an early 5th minute lead when Reece Richards profited from good work from Marc Charles-Smith to score.

Hemel eventually levelled just shy of the hour-mark through Jordan Parkes.

And then in the 19th minute of extra-time, Alex Osborn won the tie for the Tudors.

Hemel`s league rivals Braintree Town came through unscathed in their away replay at Garden Walk against Evo-Stik League South Premier side Royston Town.

The Iron took a 21st minute leads through Phil Roberts from close range following a corner.

And on 35 minutes, the lead was doubled with a header from Joe Muleba.

However, the Crows saw a way back into the game 7 minutes into the second half when Braintree were reduced to ten-men after Scott Shulton was shown a straight red card following a brawl involving several players.

Royston went close to an immediate response, but Adam Marriott`s effort bounced back off the bar.

But on 63 minutes they did manage to reduce the deficit through Adam Murray.

And Braintree held firm, despite a nervy final 20 minutes or so.

Another National League South outfit through after an away replay are Hampton & Richmond Borough, who won fairly comfortably 3-0 at Bostik North side Potters Bar Town.

The Scholars held their higher-level opponents at the break, but just 3 minutes into the second half, Jack Cook broke the deadlock to put the Beavers in front from close range.

On the hour-mark it was 2-0 with a 20-yard screamer from Malachi Napa.

And they sealed their progress into the Third Qualifying Round with a third goal 5 minutes from time from Sean McAuley.