Berkhamsted and AFC Rushden & Diamonds seal historic FA Cup first-round places

Berkhamsted and AFC Rushden & Diamonds reached the FA Cup first round proper for the first time on Saturday, each defeating higher-ranked opposition 2-1. Their victories secured places in Monday's draw after a fourth qualifying round that also produced breakthroughs for Sholing and Plymouth Parkway.

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Berkhamsted's winner arrived with two minutes remaining at Roots Hall. According to the Football Association's report, Jeffrey Sekyere met a cross from the right to complete the seventh-tier club's comeback against Southend United. Lewys Twamley had put the National League hosts ahead before Luke Andrews equalised before half-time, leaving the tie level at the interval.

Goalkeeper Hubert Graczyk kept Berkhamsted level with a stop in the 82nd minute before Sekyere's decisive contribution. The result took the Southern League Premier Division South side into new territory, with their late goal settling a contest in which both teams had sought a second after the break, the FA reported.

AFC Rushden & Diamonds also overcame a gap in the league structure, beating National League North club Morecambe despite playing two divisions below them. BBC Sport reported that the eighth-tier side had won five matches to reach this stage. Founded in 2011 following the demise of Rushden & Diamonds, the current club will now make its own first-round debut.

Manager Elliot Sandy told BBC Radio Northamptonshire he was delighted for the supporters, volunteers, players and coaching staff after the victory. His reaction underlined the wider significance of a result that took the Northern Premier League Division One Midlands club through qualifying and into Monday's first-round draw.

Elsewhere, Reece Wylie scored both goals as Sholing beat SE Dons 2-0, ending the ninth-tier side's first FA Cup campaign. The FA also reported that second-half goals from Andrew Neal and Reece Thomson earned Plymouth Parkway a 2-0 victory over Chertsey Town, with both clubs seeking a first appearance in round one.

Tadley Calleva's place remains undecided. BBC Sport reported that the ninth-tier Hampshire side twice equalised at Aldershot Town to draw 2-2, backed by 883 travelling supporters. They will be the lowest-ranked team represented in Monday's draw, but still need to win Tuesday's home replay to reach the first round proper.