Little Hebburn Town pulled off a memorable giantkilling at Evostik League Radcliffe Borough to put them into the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup – and a possible tie against one of the big Conference clubs.

The STL Second Division side stunned their hosts, who are two divisions above them in the national system, with a quality of football that left them chasing shadows at some stages in the game.

Hebburn manager Paul Bennett said: “Radcliffe couldn’t cope with us, and I thought 4-2 flattered them. At half time, we had played that well, that the home supporters applauded us off the field. In fact, I can’t recall a Northern League club play football in a cup tie of the quality we did in the first half.

“For a club the size of Hebburn to be in the last qualifying round is amazing. We’re hoping now for a game against one of the northern Conference clubs, either home or away, we don’t mind.

“I can’t single anybody out for special praise, because all the players in the squad played their part, because they approached the game properly and with the right attitude – mind you I stayed up late in our hotel on Friday night just in case anybody fancied a sneaky drink after the players had gone to bed.”

Hebburn took the lead after 33 minutes when Liam McBryde burst clear and slotted the ball past the keeper, and then three minutes later they went 2-0 up when Stuart Nicholson found Paul Gardiner on the edge of the box, and he turned quickly and hit the ball into the top corner.

Radcliffe pulled a goal back through Sean Connor, but Hebburn went 3-1 up at the start of the second half when Dean Nicholson fired in off the post from 25 yards. It was 4-1 and game over when Tony Stephenson found Gardiner running through to beat the keeper. Radcliffe pulled a goal back late on through Dave Sherlock.

Ashington joined them in today’s lunchtime draw with a magnificent 1-0 home win over Guiseley from the Conference North, the second team they have beaten from that league.

Ashington were on top in the first half with Jamie Clarke twice going close along with Chris Fawcett, and then recent signing Clarke, who is enjoying a renaissance at the age of 38, scored the all important goal just on the half hour, when Jonny Godsmark raced clear, and squared the ball for him to turn home from a few yards.

Guiseley had much more of the pressure in the second half, but Ashington keeper Karl Dryden didn’t have any serious work to do as his side reached the final qualifying round for the first time since 1974.

Clarke, who has now scored six FA Cup goals this season, said: “It was a fantastic result for the lads, the club and the fans. It was great support throughout the game in what was a difficult game, but a game which I thought we deserved to win. We were resolute at the back late in the game.

“Someone at home would be great for us – maybe even a local derby!”

Manager Gary Middleton said: “We had a game plan which worked and we were by far the better team in the first half. We deservedly took the lead and should have added another to be 2-0 up at half time. We defended well for 45 minutes in the second period and this is a fantastic result for the players and the club but not forgetting our injured players (Gareth Bainbridge, Darren Lough and Stephen Young) - we've done it for them as well. Now we want a good home draw in the next round."

Spennymoor failed to hold on to an early lead at Witton Albion, and went down 3-1 against the Evostik Premier Division club.

They went in front after 18 minutes with a header by Jamie Harwood from a right wing cross, but Witton levelled with an effort by Ollie James that slipped through the hands of Craig Turns, the Spennymoor keeper.

Anthony Sheehan then beat Turns with a deflected shot to make it 2-1, but at the other end, Steve Foster had an effort cleared off the line and Bobby Moore hit the bar.

Witton finished Moors off with five minutes left, when Alex Kitchiner scored from the edge of the box.

Assistant manager Perry Briggs said: “For the first 20 minutes we were the best side by a country mile, but then Witton took over. Some of our players just didn’t turn up on the day, which was a shame as they’ve been on fire in recent weeks. It’s disappointing because we’re looking at Ashington and Hebburn, and thinking it could have been us as well.”

Evostik League side Blyth Spartans are the other north east side through, after winning 2-1 at Whitby.

Blyth took a 2-0 half time lead with a header by Michael Tait after 5 minutes, and then former Whitby player Chris Emms scored at the second attempt just before half time. Whitby improved in the second half, but could only score once through Jake Faichney.