AFC went into this Trophy tie knowing that a win would not only see them into the Second Round but it would also create history for being the first time the club had been that far.

It seemed that they would have to take another go in a replay, but a stoppage time winner saw them progress to become history makers.

Manager Jamie Godbold made a couple of changes to his side with Adam Tann and Tyler French starting at the back and played James Baker in the front line with Luke Callander on the bench. Liam Wales missed the game due to illness the first time he has not played some part in a game this season.

The visitors from the Vanarama National League South in their lime green strip started well with both Wight and Bentley having chances but AFC coped well.

Rob Eagle working hard as always, took a corner and from it, new signing on his home debut, Erkan Okay headed over the visitors bar. The Wardale Williams pitch was coping well with the heavy rain that kept the spectators huddled under cover.

AFC looked as they would take the lead when Eagle fed Dylan Williams who in turn squared the ball into the penalty area when the incoming Craig Parker found his shot blocked.

From an AFC corner Ryan Henshaw was unlucky to have a header cleared. At the other end Marcus Garnham had to be alert as he came out and punched clear a shot from Bird. On a counter attack Parker had a header saved by the big bulky Gosport keeper Grant the ball being played in again by Eagle.

With ten minutes of the half left AFC took the lead and it was no surprise that Rob Eagle was the scorer. The ex-Lowestoft man collected a Williams’ pass and side footed home; it was no more than the home side deserved.

In the final minute of the half Gosport’s Cuthbertson and AFC’s Okay were yellow carded.

Half-Time; - AFC Sudbury 1 Gosport Borough 0

The rain continued to fall heavily and Williams took a corner for AFC and from it Eagle had a shot blocked.

Six minutes after the re-start the Hampshire were level. A free kick on the right was pump high to the far post where Henshaw could not clear and the ball feel to Flood who gratefully accepted the chance to score.

AFC Captain Sam Clarke picked up a booking on fifty-three minutes. The play was end to end with Wright for Gosport and Okay for AFC not taking their chances.

With twenty minutes Sam Bantick (pictured) took over from Parker to try and get a little more penetration into AFC’s play.

Sudbury’s French showing up well at right-back put in a telling cross that Eagle could not convert despite keeper Grant missing the ball. The home side were looking for the winning goal.

Callander replaced Baker and a few minutes later Jordan Blackwell took the place of the tireless Eagle. Blackwell, from an Austin pass, produced a thunderous shot that somehow Grant saved, this in the last minute of normal time.

Into stoppage time and it looked like an early afternoon start on Tuesday afternoon, but AFC had other ideas. Williams feed Sam Bantick and he burst forward into the Gosport penalty area and blasted home an unstoppable shot to send everyone with Sudbury connections into raptures of delight.

There was just about time to kick off and for Williams to get booked but AFC were not going to be denied and they made it safely through in a well contested tie.

The Sponsors, The Sudbury Lookalikes, chose Aidan Austin as their Man Of the Match.

Att 198

YNOT