Jarvis double sends Mulbarton through in FA Cup replay before record crowd

Mulbarton Wanderers advanced in the FA Cup with a 2-0 victory over Woodford Town in a replay ordered after a refereeing error, BBC News reported. Ashley Jarvis scored both goals in Tuesday's match in Norfolk, where a record crowd of 806 watched the home side secure another qualifying-round appearance.

The win earned Mulbarton £3,375 in prize money and a home meeting with Gloucester City. Interest in the disputed tie had prompted the club to introduce advance ticket sales. Joint manager Danny Self praised the supporters, while Jarvis described the village's backing as a major part of the occasion.

The replay followed Woodford's successful challenge to the handling of a penalty in the original match, which Mulbarton had won 2-1. BBC Sport reported that the referee disallowed a scored Woodford penalty because attacking players had entered the area early, then awarded an indirect free-kick to Mulbarton instead of ordering another spot-kick.

An FA sub-committee concluded that the referee had made a technical error and required the teams to play again. BBC Sport's explanation distinguished an incorrect application of the laws from a disputed judgement during a match. The issue was the restart chosen after the goal was ruled out: under Law 14, the penalty should have been retaken.

Mulbarton had objected to the ruling, expressing concern about what it meant for the finality of results and the competition's integrity. Woodford, by contrast, said the decision allowed the tie to be resolved under FA Cup rules. The replay therefore followed a formal protest over procedure, rather than simply disagreement with the referee's assessment of the encroachment.

Mulbarton will host Gloucester on Saturday, 3 October. The Norfolk club are playing at step four of non-league football for the first time this season, while Gloucester compete a level higher in the Southern League Premier Division South. The third qualifying-round winner will receive £5,625, with £1,875 for the loser. Woodford collected £1,125 despite their replay defeat, according to BBC News.