Bedford Town have been denied a history-making first round tie against League One opposition after crashing out of the FA Cup in the fourth qualifying round on penalties.

Cray Wanderers won 4-3 in a penalty shoot out after 120 minutes of action saw the two sides deadlocked on 2-2 after extra time.

Louie Kudiabor and Joe Payne missed the crucial spot kicks, as Cray Wanderers’ Jakob Lowe scored the historic penalty that sent the home side through to the first round proper for the first time in their history.

Cray Wanderers go on to host Stockport County in the FA Cup first round on the weekend of 6-7 November.

The Eagles and Isthmian League side, Cray Wanderers were forced into a replay following Saturday’s dismal 0-0 draw at The Eyrie, but there was far more drama on Tuesday night as the tie went the distance.

Yo-yo encounter ends in tears for the Eagles

Goalmouth action was a rarity in Saturday’s dull game between these two sides, but for 120 minutes on Tuesday night in Kent, both sides traded blows in a far more entertaining encounter.

Cray goalkeeper JJ Briggs, who was only required to make a single save on Saturday, turned a Moncur shot round his post as Harry Smart’s side began the better, but it was Cray who opened the deadlock after 17 minutes.

From a short corner, Ola Ogunwamide fired past Walker for his third goal in the FA Cup this season, but by the half-time break, the two sides were level again with the first of what would turn out to be many penalties.

It was finished from 12 yards by George Moncur in the third minute of first half injury time, and that is how the score remained after 90 minutes, taking the game into extra time.

The theme of the first clash at The Eyrie returned for the second half at the Flamingo Stadium in Kent, as shots on goal became more of a surprise than a formality.

David Hicks saw his shot palmed clear by Briggs in what was a rare sight of the home goal for the visitors, while Josh Castiglione and Cray’s Ade Yusuff traded good chances with the full-time whistle approaching.

Seidou Sanogo also fired wide of the left hand post late on, but the shrill blast of the referee’s whistle took the game to a nervous extra 30 minutes.

Sides trade goals before penalty drama

Bedford Town took the ascendency ten minutes into extra time.

Good interplay between Lewis Franklin and George Moncur on the edge of area led to the number ten finding Reece Evans, who fired home to the delight of the travelling crowd who sensed a first round tie on the horizon.

But Bedford Town were ahead for just three minutes, as Cray gained a penalty of their own; Laurie Walker bringing down Lateef Adaja with Yusuff netting from the spot to bring the scores level at 2-2.

The late drama didn’t end there, as Cray Wanderers had an excellent chance to win it as Sol Kader was also fouled in the area, with the referee awarding yet another penalty to the home side.

But Yusuff’s second spot kick inside six minutes was pushed away by Walker to keep the score at two apiece, dramatically sending the game to a penalty shoot out.

Finley Wilkinson scored first for the Eagles in the shoot out, but Louie Kudiabor and Joe Payne missed consecutive penalties to put Bedford on the back foot.

Ogunwamide also missed for Cray, but it was not enough for Bedford to find a way back as Jakob Lowe netted the winning penalty to send the Wanderers fans into delirium.

It is the first time in history Cray Wanderers have made the first round of the FA Cup, and they go on to host Stockport County, who rose to the top of League One on Tuesday night after a 2-0 win at Doncaster Rovers.

For Bedford Town, they return to National League North action with a trip to Scarborough on Saturday (24 October).