Eighth-tier side Warrington Town have caused an upset in the opening game of the first round of the FA Cup, beating League Two Exeter City this evening.
The home side, who play in Northern Premier League Division One North, were on the attack from the start as they tried to upset their League Two opponents, with striker Scott Metcalfe firing an early shot into the side-netting.
Warrington were ahead inside the opening 10 minutes though, as Craig Robinson found himself in space at the near post to flick the ball in from a corner.
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Ben Wharton tried to double their lead shortly after, rounding Matt Oakley before attempting to drive the ball in low, but his finish failed to trouble the goalkeeper.
The home side continued to look the more likely in the early stages, but Lewis Field could only smash his effort from the edge of the box well wide.
Exeter wanted a penalty midway through the first half when Matt Doughty brought down David Wheeler with a sliding tackle, but the referee was not interested in awarding the spot kick.
David Noble could have levelled the scores just before half time when he fired a volley towards the Warrington goal from 20 yards out, but his powerful effort was kept out by the crossbar.
Exeter looked more lively at the start of the second half, but it was visiting keeper Christy Pym who had to make the first save after the break when Nathan Burke tried to extend the hosts' lead.
Matt Grimes thought that he had done enough to get Exeter back on level terms with 15 minutes still to play when his shot deflected off the Warrington keeper, but Phil Davies was on the post to clear the ball off the line.
Jimmy Keohane came off the bench late on, and came close to scoring twice in the final five minutes for Paul Tisdale's side, but he sent his first effort wide before the second was cleared off the line.
Exeter continued to push deep into stoppage time, but Shaun Reid's side held on to secure their place in the second round of the competition for the first time in their history.
Sian Cowper
