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Bourne Town are through to second round proper of the FA Trophy for the first time ever after a 1-0 home success over Banbury United

Bourne Town claimed a second successive higher level scalp to create club history for the Wakes on Saturday.

Dan Flack's side are through to second round proper of the FA Trophy for the first time ever after a 1-0 home success over Banbury United at the JJ Mac Stadium.

A early goal from Dan Forbes booked Bourne's place in the next round after an excellent all-round effort from the Northern Premier League Midlands Division side.

Dan Forbes. Photo: Jason Richardson
Dan Forbes. Photo: Jason Richardson
Connor Furey. Photo: Jason Richardson
Connor Furey. Photo: Jason Richardson
Bourne celebrate their FA Trophy win. Photo: Jason Richardson
Bourne celebrate their FA Trophy win. Photo: Jason Richardson

After beating Alvechurch in the last round, Bourne had gone into the contest against their Southern League Premier Division Central visitors on the back of an indifferent run of league form.

They were also without defensive duo Brad Marshall and Michael Bostwick as well as Robbie Ellis for the visit of the Puritans.

Player-manager Dan Flack brought himself into the starting line-up and his experience and know-how helped shore up a defence which had been leaking goals recently.

Connor Furey. Photo: Jason Richardson
Connor Furey. Photo: Jason Richardson

Bourne were quickly out of the blocks with Jack York firing a shot just wide before Zac Allen was thwarted by a brave save from Banbury goalkeeper Jack Harding.

The enterprising start was then rewarded in the sixth minute as Forbes finished off a slick move by firing home a first-time finish from Allen's cross.

Although Banbury had plenty of possession for the rest of the first half, they struggled to make an impression of disciplined display by the home side.

Dan Forbes. Photo: Jason Richardson
Dan Forbes. Photo: Jason Richardson

Their hard work off the ball restricted the Puritans to few openings with Henry Dunn clearing a goalbound shot off the line from AJ George.

Goalkeeper Will Lakin then parried a cross from Ben Nash which rebounded back into the custodian's grateful clutches off Joel Anker.

Banbury had a strong shout for a penalty turned down in first half stoppage with Charlie Brooks adjudged to have got a touch on the ball following a last-ditch challenge on Gus Sanchez.

Zac Allen. Photo: Jason Richardson
Zac Allen. Photo: Jason Richardson
Lewis Darlington. Photo: Jason Richardson
Lewis Darlington. Photo: Jason Richardson

Lakin made a smart block at the start of the second half to deny Sanchez with George also drilling a shot wide for the visitors.

Banbury were then reduced to 10 men when Aaron McCreadie was sent off for an extremely late challenge on Aaron Eyett.

The Wakes nearly further compounded Banbury's woes shortly after when Lewis Darlington turned the ball home from close range but his effort was disallowed for offside against Brooks in the build-up.

Dan Forbes. Photo: Jason Richardson
Dan Forbes. Photo: Jason Richardson
Henry Dunn celebrates. Photo: Jason Richardson
Henry Dunn celebrates. Photo: Jason Richardson
Henry Dunn. Photo: Jason Richardson
Henry Dunn. Photo: Jason Richardson

Bourne's desire to hang onto the lead then shone through in the final stages with a posse of players producing a last-ditch block to clear a loose ball after Lakin had spilled a shot from George in the treacherous wet conditions.

Home substitute Chey Loureiro then saw his path to goal curtailed after pouncing on a weak clearance from Harding before the former Stamford player saw a tame header from a set piece easily swept away.

Banbury thought they had been thrown a lifeline deep into stoppage time when substitute Connor Ferguson converted a cross at the back post but the effort was disallowed for offside and Bourne saw out the remainder of the contest for a memorable win.

The Puritans then had Finley Howell red-carded after the final whistle following an ugly post-match altercation with the home fans who were rightfully celebrating a super success for their side.

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