HARROGATE Railway Athletic were anxiously awaiting the FA Cup fourth qualifying round draw today following their shock 2-1 victory over Blyth Spartans.

Railway picked up £10,000 for the third qualifying round victory over the UniBond League premier division outfit, but the coffers at Station View could swell further with the likes of Yeovil Town, Scarborough, Barnet and Doncaster all set to enter the competition.

Paul Marshall's men always had the belief they could travel to the north east and pull off a result - and they were given no bigger incentive than Spartans' boss John Charlton writing off Railway's chances before the match had even kicked off.

But Charlton was made to well and truly eat his words as Railway of the Northern Counties East League belied the two-division gap to hold on to take the victory - despite playing the last quarter with ten men after Steve Davey had been sent off.

"This is the proudest moment of my football career," said Marshall. "The team as a whole played brilliantly, I can't single any one of them out because it just would not be fair.

"I was pleased with the way we played tactically. We stopped them getting the ball forward to (Glen) Robson."

Former Nestl Rowntree midfielder Jimmy Gore set the visitors on their way to a sensational victory with the opening goal after just six minutes.

Diminutive striker Davey made it 2-0 15 minutes later to give the NCEL side some breathing space.

But Andy Martin pulled one back for Blyth before the break, to set the pulses racing on the Railway bench.

"Before the game I said to the lads to watch them for the first 20 minutes as they are usually fast starters, but that team talk went out the window," said Marshall.

"In the second half we had two or three chances on the break, but they pushed everyone forward looking for a goal.

"I had gone grey on the bench, I looked like a ghost it was so nerve-wrecking."

After the break, Blyth threw everything forward in a bid to pull level but the back four of Nigel Denby, Phil Walker, Steve Hartley and Adam Tye held firm while Rob Montgomery made a series of breath-taking saves.

With Davey shown the red card for a second bookable offence, Spartans stepped up their efforts and with just minutes left, ex-Harrogate Town striker Robson put the ball into the back of the net, only to be flagged offside.

Harrogate Town could not match the achievements of neighbours Railway, as they went down to a disappointing 3-1 defeat against Vauxhall Motors.

Town boss John Reed had struck his neck on the line by saying his side would win and then make it through to the first round proper.

But it was not to be for the Wetherby Road men, Vauxhall proving to be too strong on the day.

Town opened the scoring through a Phil Brazier own goal, but from there on in it was all downhill.

Terry Fearns, who had been highlighted as the man to watch, grabbed two goals while Nicky Young also netted.

To add to Town's woes, Peter Atkinson had a penalty saved with 15 minutes left.

"We only played for 20 minutes," said Reed. "For the first 20 minutes we were excellent and did what we had to, but after that we just didn't perform.

"I'm very disappointed, a lot of players let me down - there were too many schoolboy errors."

Despite the defeat Reed praised the efforts of local rivals Railway.

"Congratulations to Harrogate Railway and Paul Marshall - it is fantastic achievement for them to beat Blyth," he added. "Praise must go to each and every one of his players."

Updated: 12:40 Monday, October 15, 2001