Runcorn Town reached the Third Qualifying Round of the FA Cup for the first time in their history after a 1-0 win away at Vanarama Conference North side Barrow AFC.
There were three leagues and 82 places separating the two sides before kick off, but any neutrals in the 1,370 crowd would have been hard pressed to tell which side was which, with Runcorn more than holding their own in the first 15 minutes.
The closest either side came to opening the scoring was when right back Andy Burns put in a deep cross from the left touchline which James Ellison hit high and wide.
Defences were very much on top for both sides with Chris Lawton and Tom Spearitt cutting out the limited opportunities that the home side created. At the other end Town grew in confidence as the game progressed with Jack Webb's 25 yard effort going just wide of the right hand post.
After 32 minutes a free kick for Town fell to Sam Houghton with his shot deflected just wide. At the other end, another cross from Burns was met by Andy McWilliams with his header flying just over the bar.
The closest Town came was after 37 minutes when another free kick, this time from Houghton, found Ste Latham in the box with his header looping just wide of the right hand post. Two minutes later a shot from Webb on the edge of the box was straight at the keeper.
Two minutes into the second half, a good passing move from the home side ended with McWilliams, but his shot hit the side netting when he really should have done better. Ten minutes into the half, Latham tried his luck from the edge of the box with the ball deflected into the keepers arms.
Town were visibly growing in confidence and spreading it around well. The home crowd were silenced as their heroes were limited to long range shots that never tested Stuart Plant.
With 25 minutes to go the best chance of the game fell to Andy Potter, with his header from five yards out with just the keeper to beat going wide of the post. Five minutes later he redeemed himself in stunning fashion.
Potter picked up the ball just inside his own half and advanced forward. With the home defence backing off he continued his run before unleashing a shot from 25 yards that took a slight deflection before nestling in the net.
It was no more than Town deserved, with the home side pushing on to try and get the equaliser. However Town comfortably saw out the game, with Plant marshalling his defence superbly to record a famous win.
Town were applauded off the field by sections of the home crowd who had stayed behind to offer congratulations, a gesture warmly appreciated by manager Simon Burton and his players.
