Poachers see off Nomads in FA Cup

Oadby Town carried their good pre-season form into the extra preliminary round of the FA Cup as they saw off Anstey Nomads at Greene King Park.

The Poachers, operating in the United Counties League for the first time, beat their former Senior League and East Midlands Counties rivals 3-1.

Shay Adams, Mason Hurst and Michael Reeves all hit the target to send the home side through to the next round.

Blaby and Whetstone Athletic clinched a fine win as they beat Spalding 2-1, Jermaine Gordon hitting both goals for the visitors.

Quorn also flourished on their travels as they beat Boston Town 2-0, while Kirby Muxloe put behind them a slow start to the Midland Alliance campaign. They ran out 1-0 winners at Shirebrook with Ben Law scoring.

George Himan was the man on song for Thurnby Nirvana. He blasted a hat-trick at Dakyn Road as Thurnby went through 4-2 at the expense of Lincoln Moorlands Railways. Louis Finney-Neckles added the other goal.

Loughborough University progressed to the next phase – though they left it very late before snatching a 2-1 win at Teversal. The home side led until Daniel Nti responded in the second half. Then, deep into stoppage time, David Hulmas slotted home the winner.

Shepshed Dynamo crashed out at the first hurdle beaten 3-0 at home by Heanor Town. St Andrews were another county side who were unable to make home advantage count. They lost 2-1 to Borrowash Victoria.

Barrow Town were on the wrong end of a 5-1 scoreline at Blackstones, while Bardon Hill Sports bowed out 2-1 at Retford. Holwell Sports' interest in the Cup ended thanks to a 2-0 loss at Sleaford.

Aylestone Park maintained their unbeaten start to the East Midlands Counties League season – but they left it very late.

Park claimed a 2-2 draw at the Linwood against Graham St Prims having found themselves 2-0 down. They got back into the game when Levi Ramsey slotted home a penalty.

That did not appear to be enough to take anything from the game until Kieran Neat fired home an equaliser deep into stoppage time.

There was no joy for Ellistown as they suffered their first defeat of the season. They were beaten 3-2 at home by Radcliffe.