FA Cup First Round Proper Roundup: Bristol Rovers downed by non-league Chesham United

Chesham United celebrated a famous victory over Bristol Rovers

SOUTHERN League Premier Division side Chesham United provided the shock of the FA Cup first round beating League Two Bristol Rovers 1-0 at the Memorial Stadium.

 

Ryan Blake's 77th-minute strike from distance, after team-mate Dave Pearce had missed a penalty, means the non-League side will be in the hat for Monday's second-round draw.

And Chesham manager Andy Leese said: "It's the greatest day of my footballing life.

"All week we had been telling the lads to go out and make a name for themselves and they have done just that."

Chesham could have been in front at the break when Tom Lockyer fouled Brad Wadkins, but Rovers keeper Lee Nicholls saved Pearce's resulting penalty.

But the seventh-tier side went ahead when Blake's 25-yard shot caught out Nicholls.

Rovers goalkeeper Shane Gore made a series of fine saves late on but Chesham held on.

Chesham, 75 places below Rovers in the football pyramid, last made the first round proper in 1994 and they are now in the second round for only the second time in their history, the first coming in 1980 when they were knocked out in the third round by Cambridge United.

Former Rovers striker Barry Hayles was given a warm ovation from the Memorial Stadium crowd when the and Chesham player-coach replaced Pearce in the 72nd minute, making an impact by setting up Blake's winner.

Ryan Blake scored the only goal of the game late on to give Chesham the win

And it was certainly the day for non-League sides, with James Mulley's strike in the fourth minute of injury time ensuring Conference South side Maidenhead, managed by former England midfielder Alan Devonshire, a replay after a 1-1 draw at League One outfit Port Vale.

“That was just luck,” said Devonshire, having brought on Mulley to replace Harry Pritchard in the 76th minute.

“Sometimes substitutions come off and sometimes they don’t. All I know is we got what we deserved and I can’t praise the lads highly enough.

“We’ve got a young, part-time side, but their spirit and character is unbelievable. They kept going right to the end and got their just desserts.”

Curtis McDonald's 90th-minute header helped National League North side Brackley to a 2-2 draw at home to League Two Newport, while National League Braintree also earned a replay, with Kenny Davis levelling for 1-1 result against League Two Oxford, as did National League Aldershot after a goalless stalemate against Bradford.

Whitehawk ran out 5-3 winners against Lincoln, but the day was not so good for Halifax, who were thrashed 4-0, while Shrewsbury and Yeovil also booked their second round spot after eking out 1-0 wins at Gainsborough and Maidstone respectively.