TAMWORTH boss Andy Peaks admitted he was happy to avoid a ‘banana skin’ as the Lambs booked a return to the FA Cup first round proper.
The Lambs beat Northern Premier League side Hyde United 1-0 – with Tamworth dreaming of a repeat of last season’s Cup run.
Tamworth beat Huddersfield and Burton Albion before landing a home tie against Tottenham.
The Lambs pushed Ange Postecoglou’s side to extra-time before losing to Spurs.
But it was a game that raised Tamworth’s profile and put Peaks’ side on the map.
Skipper Ben Milnes’ headed goal just after the hour mark was enough to seal a difficult win in a game Peaks knew could easily have gone wrong.
The Lambs boss told the club’s official YouTube channel: “It was always going to be tough. It was a potential banana skin.
“it was a ‘no-win’ really for us. We were expected to win. If we didn’t, it was a disaster. So I’m happy to be through.
“We had some great memories last year with the FA Cup. But to get to those sort of occasions, you have to negotiate some sort of tricky ties before, and that certainly was here.
“It was a great header from Ben. And we had a lot of chances after that.
“For me, it’s about being in that draw on Monday – it’s nice to win more comfortably for my stress rate, etc.
“It’d be nice to get a league club and we had some of them last year, ideally at The Lamb but if not, a nice away day, but equally, it’s out of our control.”
It was a different story for Tamworth’s National League rivals Solihull Moors who lost 2-0 at Ebbsfleet United.
Moors went there as favourites against a team who were relegated from the National League last season.
But the Kent side stopped Solihull making the first round again with goals from Jamie Fielding and Lennon Peake.
Moors were handed a potential lifeline in stoppage time with a penalty kick – but Ebbsfleet keeper Gio Bellagambi pushed Jacob Wakeling’s shot on to the post.
But AFC Telford United slammed in six goals at National League North rivals Darlington to make the first round.
Dylan Allen-Hedley put them ahead after 11 minutes, with two from Matt Stenson and a Toby Lees own goal making it 4-0 at half-time.
Adan George and Thakgalo Leshabala added late goals to complete a 6-0 rout.
Telford boss Kevin Wilkin told the club’s official YouTube channel: “I didn’t see that scoreline coming, but the relentless nature of our work was as good as it’s been all season.
“We could arguably have had more in the first half. The players can take an enormous amount of credit.
“At 4-0 at half-time, we asked if they could be as intense in the second half. But largely, we managed the game well.
“It was tough for Darlington. They’re not a bad side overnight, but I can’t apologise for that.
“The efficiency of our performances was especially pleasing. The clean sheet is a major plus as well.”
