McKeal Abdullah and Kane Richards had the Ambers two to the good at the half before a second half double from Jamie Cooke ensured the match went the distance, where both teams were perfect in their spot kicks until Adam Senior blazed his shot over the bar, ensuring the Ambers ensured their best ever progression in the competition.

The visitors controlled the ball in the opening stages as expected, with Basford struggling to get any sight of the ball. Despite having such a large share of possession, Halifax couldn’t get through the Amber shirts as their defending remained resolute, and when a huge chance fell to Billy Waters at close range, Harvey Woodward produced a magnificent save to prevent him from opening the score.

Basford continued to struggle with creating any chances, until McKeal Abdullah tried to whip in a cross at the edge of the box, but with some help from the high winds the ball began to curve towards the top corner of the goal, and Sam Johnson had no chance to prevent it from flying in to give the Ambers an unlikely lead in the 25th minute.

Frustrations continued for Halifax as the net kept evading them, with Jack Jenkins coming closest with a clear chance from 12 yards. It got worse for the Shaymen as the Ambers went forward again, and this time it was Kane Richards who produced a magical moment as he connected with the ball on the half volley from 20 yards, sending it rocketing into the goal off the crossbar to spectacularly put Basford up by two in the 40th minute.

Following the interval Halifax’s fortunes were much better as Jamie Cooke got them back into the game very quickly as he responded to a cross at close range to tap the ball home past Woodward in the 49th minute.

The Ambers saw more of the ball in the half and subsequently found more chances but couldn’t convert any of them before the Shaymen struck again, once again through Cooke as he took aim from the edge of the box in the 65th minute and saw the shot creep past Woodward to level the score.

Both teams looked eager to find a winner as end to end action continued, but with chances going begging with a magnificent save each from Woodward and Johnson included, 2-2 is how it ended and penalties would decide who advances.

Both teams couldn’t be separated in the shootout as all 10 first spot kicks found their way in, which meant that the 11th penalty scored by Kacy Butterfield put pressure on Senior to keep the National League side in it. His shot flew over the bar and celebrations started at Greenwich Avenue as the historic win was confirmed for the Ambers.

MOTM: Nelson Aideyan

ATT: 476

BASFORD UNITED STARTING XI: Harvey Woodward, Harvey Ridgley (Prince Mancinelli, 71’), Taylor Anderson, Josh Barnes, Victor Nirennold, Nelson Aideyan, Kane Richards (Ash Chambers, 71’), Kacy Butterfield, Tyrell Waite (Rev James, 79’), Jordan Hallam, McKeal Abdullah (Tyler Dacres, 80’)

SUBS (not used): Saul Deeney, Joe Uvegas, Alex Swallow

FC HALIFAX TOWN STARTING XI: Sam Johnson, Jo Cummings, Adam Senior, Jack Evans, Jamie Cooke, Angelo Cappello, Jack Jenkins (Tom Pugh 78'), Andrew Oluwabori, Owen Bray (Florent Hoti 56'), Adam Almi-Adetoro, Billy Waters

SUBS NOT USED: Ryan Galvin, Nathaniel Ford, Zak Emmerson, Frankie Sinfield, Lui Bradbury