Two goals in the opening 14 minutes proved decisive at Barlow’s Park on Tuesday, October 20, as National League Aldershot won at the second attempt.

Nino Adom-Malaki put Aldershot ahead after eight minutes before Marcus Dinanga doubled their lead six minutes later.

Tadley kept Aldershot at bay after the break, but could not repeat their dramatic comeback three days earlier as the 2-0 half-time score stood.

The defeat ended Tadley Calleva’s greatest FA Cup run and denied the Combined Counties League Premier Division South side a place in the first round.

The Romans celebrate their equaliser in the first tie (Image: Rob Mellor)

Tadley were four divisions below Aldershot but had already shown they could trouble their higher-ranked neighbours.

Their historic run took them to the fourth qualifying round for the first time after wins over Bemerton Heath Harlequins, Hamble Club, Laverstock & Ford, Bishop’s Cleeve and Dartford.

The Romans came agonisingly close to extending their run when the sides first met at the EBB Stadium on Saturday, October 17, with a 2-2 draw forcing an FA Cup replay.

Dinanga put Aldershot ahead after eight minutes, but Tadley grew into the game and Alfie Burton levelled on the stroke of half-time by hooking the ball beyond goalkeeper Nick Hayes.

Michael Stickland restored Aldershot’s lead after the break, but substitute Charlie Barlow levelled again for Tadley to make it 2-2.

Aldershot hit the crossbar and had a goal ruled out for offside during 11 minutes of stoppage time as Tadley held on for a home replay.

A travelling support of 883 Tadley fans helped create one of the club’s most memorable results in front of 2,886 people at the EBB Stadium.

Back in Tadley, the club’s home allocation for the replay sold out in a record 10 minutes, according to the Romans.

The club also streamed the replay live on YouTube for supporters who missed out on tickets, attracting thousands of viewers.

The winners would face Barnsley in the first round.

Bookmakers even added Tadley to their outright FA Cup markets ahead of Tuesday’s match, with William Hill pricing the competition’s lowest-ranked remaining side at a remarkable 5000/1 to lift the trophy.

Lee Phelps, a William Hill spokesperson, said before the game: “Currently the lowest-ranked team in the draw, the Combined Counties League Premier Division South side are 5000/1 to win the FA Cup this season – a price reserved for the likes of Leicester City winning the Premier League back in 2016.

Charlie Barlow and Logan Lowes celebrating the final whistle of the first match (Image: Rob Mellor)

“The FA Cup can conjure magic, and it would be foolish to write the ninth-tier side off in their bid to make the first round.”

Aldershot’s early dominance ultimately settled the replay.

Adom-Malaki struck in the eighth minute before Dinanga, booked three minutes later, scored Aldershot’s second in the 14th. Tadley captain Jordan Goater was booked after 40 minutes as the Romans went into half-time 2-0 down.

Tadley kept Aldershot at bay after the break.

Burton was booked after 64 minutes before being replaced by Lors Nicholas two minutes later. First-leg goalscorer Barlow came on for Kieran Rodgers after 71 minutes.

Alexander Miller was booked in stoppage time before the final whistle confirmed Aldershot’s 2-0 win.