AFC Rushden & Diamonds beat Morecambe to reach first FA Cup main draw

AFC Rushden & Diamonds reached the FA Cup first round for the first time on Saturday, beating Morecambe 2-1 to become one of four clubs celebrating a debut appearance at that stage. BBC Sport reported that the eighth-tier side overcame opponents from National League North, two divisions above them, to secure a place in Monday's draw.

Watch the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFOED-ZH2MY

Berkhamsted, Plymouth Parkway and Sholing also qualified for the first time. Berkhamsted recovered from behind to beat Southend United 2-1 away, while Plymouth Parkway and Sholing both won 2-0. Elsewhere, Wimborne Town advanced with a 1-0 victory over Chelmsford City, reaching the first-round draw for the first time since 1982. Guiseley also progressed from the seventh tier.

For Rushden, the result extends a campaign that began more than two months earlier. In its reporting before the match, the BBC traced their route back to a 5-0 victory at Kimberley Miners Welfare on 8 August. Wins over Long Eaton United, Desborough Town and Peterborough Sports followed, before they eliminated National League South side Braintree Town earlier this month.

The achievement adds a new chapter for a club established in 2011 after the collapse of the original Rushden & Diamonds. The predecessor club had been created in 1992 through a merger of Rushden Town and Irthlingborough Diamonds, backed by Dr. Martens owner Max Griggs. It reached the Football League in 2001 under Brian Talbot and won promotion again as champions in 2003.

That rise was followed by relegation back to non-league football in 2006. Financial problems eventually led to the original club's expulsion from the Conference in 2011 and its closure, according to the BBC's account. The current club had already equalled its previous best FA Cup run before hosting Morecambe at Hayden Road; Saturday's victory took it beyond that mark.

The fourth qualifying round winners earned £9,375 and the chance to face League One or League Two opposition. The first-round draw is scheduled for 18:35 BST on Monday, 19 October, with matches to be played around the weekend of 7 November. Rushden will now await their next opponents alongside the other newly qualified clubs.