Basford United’s memorable run in the FA Cup continued with a quite breath-taking turnaround against Boston United in a replay on Tuesday night, progressing to the fourth qualifying round of the competition for the first time in their history with a 4-2 penalty shoot-out win after a 3-3 draw in normal time.

After a 1-1 reverse at Greenwich Avenue on Saturday, the hosts made an electric start and Mark Clifford’s men found themselves two-down within the first nine minutes after Scott Pollock’s header before Jake Wright fired home.

But their never-say-die attitude came rushing to the fore and Gregg Smith reduced the arrears seven minutes after the break and Anthony Dwyer miraculously drew them level moments later.

Luther Munakandafa then put Basford ahead for the first time with a well-hit strike in extra-time, only to be cancelled out by Scott Pollock’s penalty after Stern Irvine was adjudged to have handled and the tie went to the lottery of a shoot-out.

Dwyer, Ben Starkie and Josh Barnes all netted before Kieran Preston saved from Jordon Crawford.

Preston then stepped up to smash home the fourth before thwarting Brad Abbott with a strong arm and seal his side’s history-making progress and a trip to National League side Solihull Moors next Saturday.

Manager Clifford made just the one change from on Saturday as Courey Grantham replaced Munakandafa on the flank.

However, all the pre-match hard work was undone before ten minutes as Basford found themselves two behind.

First, Jake Wright’s delicate cross was headed powerfully beyond Preston by Scott Pollock.

Keenan Ferguson then found himself in behind on the end from a through ball and his low cross was slammed into the roof of the net by the onrushing Wright and Basford had it all to do.

Clifford’s men came back swinging, however, and arguably controlled thereafter and may have even reduced the deficit with a handful of decent chances.

Anthony Dwyer – looking to add to his seasons tally – dipped a rasping effort just over Rhys Davies’ crossbar before Declan Dunn took aim; his sliced volley falling just wide.

Their best chance came just after the half hour when some excellent wing play between Dwyer and Grantham yielded an opportunity for Matt Thornhill who was denied by the sprawling hand of Davies before the danger was cleared.

Grantham then headed over from Josh Barnes’ deep cross, but the visitors trailed at the interval.

Despite the scoreline, the United from Nottingham carried on from where they left off and with the second period only seven minutes old, they deservedly pulled within one.

A sumptuous cross from Josh Barnes – in a wide, deep area – was pin-point for Smith who forced a header into the far corner and beyond Davies’ desperate dive.

And it was two 15 minutes later. After Smith had smashed the crossbar with a fine effort, the ball fell nicely to Dwyer who, with excellent control and poise, controlled well before smashing it into the far corner; Davies rooted.

Limited chances came thereafter, the closest when Scott Pollock’s header flashed wide and the extra 30 minutes loomed.

Tired, fatigued, and drained - Basford were having none of it and with extra time only three minutes in, Munakandafa took aim to fire low beyond the outstretched Davies and those in red miraculously lead for the first time.

Backs to wall and with time ticking, the hosts had a chance to equalise on the stroke of half-time in extra time when a cross was accidentally handled by Irvine who attempted to clear.

Scott Pollock stepped up and fired beyond Preston to eventually force a dreaded shoot-out, not before Thornhill was dismissed late on for a second bookable offence.

Dwyer fired home the first with pace, before Barnes’ precision had Basford up by one. Preston then saved his first from Crawford before Starkie rolled in a third.

The heroic Preston then handled the pressure with a thunderous effort straight down the middle, before parrying away Abbotts spot-kick to round-off the most memorable night in the club’s history and a tie with Neal Ardley's National Leaguers.

Next up, we play host to Harborough Town at Greenwich Avenue in the FA Trophy (3pm).

UNITED: Preston; Betts, Irvine, Roma, Barnes; Thornhill (c), Chapman (Bertram 91’), Grantham (Munakandafa 76’), Dunn (Starkie 61’); Dwyer, Smith (Palmer 109’)
SUBS (not used): Clarke, Morledge (GK)

ATT: 1196 (44 away)