Salford City have reached the second round of the FA Cup after defeating League One Lincoln City on penalties.
Lincoln took the lead in the first half through Erik Ring, who burst through into the Salford penalty area, before slotting past Mark Howard to give the Imps the advantage.
Salford left it late to find an equaliser as Kelly Nmai slotted home at George Wickens’ near post to send the game to extra-time.
Both teams had chances to win it but the game ultimately went to penalties, with Mark Howard proving to be the hero, as he denied Conor McGrandles, after Tom Bayliss had hit the crossbar with his effort, allowing Daniel Udoh to send Salford through.
The result means that Salford will be in the hat for the second round, which is set to take place on the first weekend of December.
Salford started the game brightly and went close in the first few minutes through Kallum Cesay, who saw his curling effort tipped wide by Lincoln keeper George Wickens, who kept the visitors in the game in the early stages.
The 23-year-old pulled off a remarkable stop on 18 minutes after a cleverly worked Salford corner made its way to Jorge Grant, whose low effort was tipped away by Wickens at full stretch to deny what looked like a certain goal.
Lincoln began to find their footing midway through the first half and were rewarded just before the half-hour mark, as Erik Ring drove through the Salford defence from his own half, before firing a low drive past Howard to give the League One side the lead.
The Imps sustained their pressure for the remainder of the first half, as Salford were forced to defend a flurry of chances.
Howard watched two volleys from Ring and Freddie Draper sail past his post, before denying Rob Street in first half injury time.
Salford reacted in the second half and took control of proceedings, with substitute Dan Udoh missing a big chance on the hour mark.
The visitors went close minutes later as Richie Towler’s volley narrowly sailed past the top left corner.
The Ammies initially thought they’d found an equaliser on 70 minutes through captain Nmai, who turned in Haji Mnoga’s bicycle kick at the back post, but was judged to have mistimed his run by the linesman.
It was the same man who levelled it up in injury time 20 minutes later, as he found himself clear after some brilliant hold-up play from Udoh and made no mistake with the finish, slotting past Wickens to send the game to extra time.
Lincoln started the stronger of the two sides and tested Howard two minutes into extra time, as he clawed a corner away from his goal.
The Imps had a huge chance to retake the lead before the interval through right-back Tendayi Darikwa, but his effort was far too tame and comfortable for Howard.
Salford had a big chance themselves with just over 10 minutes to go through Borini, who beat his man in the penalty area, before forcing Wickens into a smart stop down to his right.
Frustrations began to boil for the visitors as Darikwa received his marching orders after receiving two yellow cards in six minutes, one for arguing with the referee and one for diving.
Both sides had massive chances to book their place in the second round as the clock ticked past 120. Lincoln went close through Tom Bayliss, who poked the ball just past the post after some clever play on the left.
Nmai had the chance to score another stoppage time goal as he broke free and checked back in the box, before curling an effort just over the bar.
That meant the game went to penalties and after both sides scored their first spot kick, Bayliss hit the upright, allowing Garbutt the chance to dispatch his penalty and give Salford the advantage.
Luke Garbutt and Ben Woodburn both converted for the Ammies, before Howard denied Conor McGrandles down to his right, allowing Udoh to fire his penalty into the top corner and send Salford into the second round for the second season running.
The result means that the Ammies have beaten League One opposition on all three occasions they have faced it this season.
It’s a return to league action next week as they host Cambridge United next Saturday at 3pm.
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