By Steven Oldham Cover Photo: Phil Hill

Bury progress at expense of neighbours

Step 5 Bury‘s increasingly memorable FA Cup run continues after a 3-2 win at National League North side Radcliffe in the third qualifying round.

Dave McNabb’s Bury side progressed past their former landlords in front of 2,800 at the Neuven Stadium thanks to Bryan Ly’s last minute penalty. The Shakers remain unbeaten in all competitions this season.

Radcliffe had taken an early lead through ex-Shaker Anthony Dudley on ten minutes, but found themselves behind heading into the closing stages thanks to goals from Bury’s Sam Coughlan and Reuben Jerome.

READ MORE: FA Cup: Bury and Macclesfield spring 2QR upsets

Josh Wardle pulled one back for Radcliffe, and the game looked to be heading to a Gigg Lane replay in midweek before Ly made his impact from the substitute’s bench.

With just three miles separating the club’s two grounds, there was always going to be rivalry in the air and that manifested in a red card for the home side’s Matt Sargent 12 minutes into added time for a second booking.

Radcliffe paid tribute to chairman Paul Hilton before the match, who passed away suddenly last weekend. Bury, meanwhile, continue a run that has seen them eliminate higher ranked opposition in every round to date – this time bridging a three division gap.

Silkmen cruise into next round

Elsewhere, Macclesfield join Bury in the 4QR after thumping Witton Albion 6-1 at the Moss Rose. John Rooney and Justin Johnson’s first half goals gave them a cushion at the break – before Kevin Spinelli gave Albion hope while pulling one back on 56 minutes.

It wasn’t to be for the visitors however, and Robbie Savage’s men motored on after the hour mark, with Edy Maiceo and Danny Elliott both netting a brace to seal a resounding win over Step 4 Albion.

The Silkmen have now equalled their best performance in the competition since reforming by reaching the fourth qualifying round.

Curzon in the hat for round four

Curzon Ashton were victorious at divisional rivals Southport, with Isaac Buckley-Ricketts’ late goal enough to claim the win on Merseyside.

The game looked to be heading for a stalemate until Buckley-Ricketts broke the deadlock on 82 minutes, and he’s scored in consecutive rounds after netting against Barnoldswick Town in a 6-0 third round win.

The result sees Curzon continue their stellar recent record in the competition and Craig Mahon’s side have now reached the fourth qualifying round for a fourth season on the trot.

It’s been a strong start to the season for the Tameside club, who are sitting third in the National League North table, while Southport have work to do from the bottom half.

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Another replay for Buxton

Buxton will have to do it all again – again – after a 1-1 draw with Kidderminster Harriers. Bucks’ Kieran Burton opened the scoring on 66 minutes, but Harriers were quickly level through Harry Ibbitson just three minutes later.

This means Buxton will need to navigate a replay again after avoiding a banana skin at Step 3 outfit Barwell in the last round. The first game ended 2-2, but Buxton were 2-1 winners in the replay.

Both teams go into the hat for Monday’s fourth round draw, so their potential opponents will be known ahead of Tuesday’s replay.

Chester needed a last-minute Connell Rawlinson equaliser to secure a replay at Step 3 Stockton Town and avoid an unwanted upset in the north-east.

Stephen Thompson had put the home side ahead with a long-range effort, but Rawlinson’s reply means the sides will meet again in midweek.

End of the road for Chorley

Chorley‘s FA Cup adventure is over for another year after a 1-0 loss at Spennymoor Town. Isaac Fletcher’s second half effort was enough for the home side to progress.

Warrington Rylands 1906 are also out, with a 2-0 home defeat to the higher ranked Scarborough Athletic. A pair of Kieran Weledji headers sent The Seadogs through.

Step 4 Wythenshawe Town also lost to Yorkshire opposition, as Farsley Celtic were 1-0 winners in front of the BBC cameras. Darren Stephenson scored the game’s only goal for the National League North side in the lunchtime kick-off.

FA Cup prize money and calendar

Winners in the FA Cup third qualifying round collect £5,625, while those exiting the competition pocket £1,875 for making this stage. Bury’s run from the extra preliminary round has netted them nearly £14,000 in prize money alone.

Replays will take place this week – with Buxton travelling to Kidderminster and Chester hosting Stockton Town on Tuesday night.

The draw for the fourth round of qualifying – where National League teams including Rochdale, Oldham Athletic, Altrincham and AFC Fylde enter the fray – takes place on Monday afternoon.