Evesham 0 Stourbridge 1 - FA Cup

In 1959 the ground witnessed one of the greatest FA Cup shocks of all time when Worcester City knocked out a Second Division pre-Shankly Liverpool.

Stourbridge's victory over Worcester's tenants Evesham United may not live as long in the memory, but it still provided a full-blooded, entertaining second qualifying round tie.

After the pre-match disco classics belted out over the PA, striker Ryan Rowe was no so much In the Navy as in the goals to settle the encounter.

But the 10-man Glassboys were left hanging on at the end after Ryan Mahon's needless second half dismissal.

Hang on they did, though, to not only put their name in today's draw but also add another £4,500 to the coffers for winning the match.

The only goal came in the 20th minute when James Dyson's long ball was missed by Simon Fitter and found its way to Rowe.

He ran at a retreating Robins defence before drilling a low shot beyond Nathan Vaughan from just outside the area.

It was just reward for Rowe, who played the lone striker role superbly all afternoon. But he was not the only hero in yellow.

Stourbridge were forced to withstand an aerial bombardment throughout the game and central defenders Nathan Bennett and skipper Ross Collins won everything.

And 19-year-old goalkeeper Todd Henderson, playing cricket with Beacon in the Staffs Clubs League until just over a week ago before being drafted in to replace the injured Lewis Solly, held his nerve superbly.

The only down side was Mahon's silly red card, shown for pushing Fitter in the face.

Assistant boss Jon Ford said: "If you raise your hand to somebody you run the risk of being sent off, so I've no qualms about the decision.

"But it was a fantastic result and I was very proud of the players. We needed to defend well and we did and we still created a few chances with 10 men."

It's well known luck plays a huge part in a Cup run and again it was on Stourbridge's side.

After being a disallowed goal away from being knocked out by Bromsgrove in the last round, Gary Hackett's men had another slice of fortune.

Just 120 seconds after Mahon's 62nd minute exit Steve Lutz had the ball in the net but was ruled offside.

With nine minutes remaining Fitter unleashed a 25-yard rocket that cannoned off the crossbar. The second half even saw the unusual sight of the substitute being substituted, when Aaron Drake was replaced for the visitors.

Drake, who only returned from a two-week holiday in Cuba on Thursday, wasn't Havana good game. Hackett's men had looked comfortable until the red card and in the end the better side went through.

Those who missed their Sunday dinner to attend won't have been pleased there was no hot food on sale.

But at least the Glassboys get to feast on FA Cup football again on October 10.

By Steve Box

Evesham: Vaughan, Watson, Hyde, Hodnett, Luckett, Lutz, Fitter, Wordley (Cornes 67), Bull, Clarke, Cole. Subs not used: Darby, Polan, Gould, Styles, Adey.

Stourbridge: Henderson, Rock (Drake 25, Dovey 60), Cowley, Collins, Billingham, Bennett, Smith, Dyson, Rowe, Mahon, Evans. Subs not used: Slater, Broadhurst, Taylor.

Referee: Derek Eaton (Tewkesbury)

Attendance: 262