Stafford Rangers end 20-year FA Cup wait with five-goal win over Gateshead

Stafford Rangers reached the FA Cup first round for the first time in 20 years by beating Gateshead 5-0 in Tuesday's fourth qualifying round replay. BBC Sport reported that the eighth-tier side will now welcome League Two Grimsby Town, having eliminated opponents who are bottom of the National League.

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Gateshead's official match report noted that Rocco Coyle, Sam Bowen and Harrison Holgate had come into the visitors' starting line-up. It described an early breakthrough for Stafford, with Scott Bakkor scoring after five minutes from a Mason cross. Ash Boatswain then had an effort disallowed for the visitors. Pete Jameson saved from Mitch Clarke, but Mason added the second in the 32nd minute after Joe Dunne's delivery and Andy Burns' header across goal.

Michael Spellman struck the crossbar with a deflected effort before the interval, leaving Gateshead two goals behind. Caretaker manager Ben Clark introduced Fenton John and Freddie Issaka at half-time, according to the club's report. The changes did not prevent Stafford extending their advantage, with Clarke finishing at the back post in the 51st minute to make it 3-0.

Dunne scored the fourth from a Jack Birch corner after Jameson had denied Bebeto Gomes. Gomes subsequently won a penalty, which Birch converted to complete the scoring. The decisive replay followed Saturday's 1-1 draw at Gateshead's International Stadium, where neither team had been able to secure the first-round place at the initial attempt.

BBC Sport reported that Clark apologised to supporters after the defeat. Stafford are one of two eighth-tier clubs still involved, alongside AFC Rushden & Diamonds, who travel to Burton Albion. Elsewhere in Tuesday's replays, seventh-tier Alvechurch defeated sixth-tier Spalding 4-0 and earned an away tie against League One Plymouth Argyle.

Cray Wanderers also advanced, beating Bedford Town on penalties following a 2-2 draw to arrange a home meeting with League One leaders Stockport County. The BBC reported that first-round matches will take place from 6 to 9 November. Qualifying is now complete, and subsequent rounds will be settled without replays.