Bedford Town are just one game away from the first round proper of the FA Cup after a 3-1 replay success at Wingate and Finchley on Tuesday night (6 October).
A brace from Louie Kudiabor and a now customary strike from George Moncur ensured the Eagles a safe passage through to the fourth qualifying round for the first time in 25 years.
Bedford Town now go on to host another step three Isthmian Premier League side in Cray Wanderers, with the prize a spot in the main draw, where Football League sides enter the equation.
Eagles fans are already dreaming of a plum tie at the likes of Leicester City or Luton Town, but must first get past another side from the capital to do so in just ten days time.
The fourth qualifying round takes place on Saturday, 17 October.
Kudiabor brace
Standing in the Eagles’ way once more was Wingate and Finchley, a side who had admirably held on to force a replay on Saturday after going down to ten men halfway through the second half.
George Moncur’s pair of penalties, the second of which came in the 83rd minute, was a saving grace and the number ten was on the scoresheet again on Tuesday night in what is becoming a prolific season.
Read: Bedford Town face away replay following FA Cup draw against Wingate and Finchley
Manager, Harry Smart made a solitary change to his starting line up, bringing in Louie Kudiabor in place of Reading loanee, Reece Evans and the decision paid dividends almost immediately.
Just six minutes from the first whistle, Lewis Franklin careered down the right, finding Josh Castiglione who turned it back to Louie Kudiabor who fired into the roof of the net to settle any nerves that may have existed.
For the majority of the rest of the half however, the sporadic chances fell to Wingate and Finchley, and the Eagles had goalkeeper, Laurie Walker to thank for keeping them in front.
Caoilan McGettigan was first kept out by a smart stop from Walker at his near post, before a stunning save denied Kai Thomas-Fraser the chance to make amends for Saturday’s red card with his superb volley heading in.
Jack Thomas also steered a header wide, but come the end of the first half, it was Bedford Town who would double their lead.
Junior Gyamfi was left to stroll through the middle of the pitch, finding Moncur who proceeded to fire home into the corner.
It looked as if the Eagles were going to go into the break with a two-goal cushion, but the hosts got the goal their first half enterprise deserved, as Ashley Nzala beat two defenders to fire in past Walker to halve the deficit.
A third puts the game to bed
Just ten minutes into the second half, a second for Kudiabor put the game to bed.
It took two bites of the cherry at the near post following a cross from the right, but it was enough to give Harry Smart’s men the cushion they needed amongst a second half devoid of many chances.
Scott Kashket thought he should have had a penalty on the hour mark, while Nzala had by far the best opportunity of the second half only to plant a free header straight at Walker, but otherwise goalmouth action was rare.
It was the perfect scenario for the Eagles who were able to play out six minutes of injury time, securing their own slice of Bedford Town history in the process.
In 2001, the last time the Eagles were in the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup, they disposed of Harlow Town before a special tie against Barry Fry’s Peterborough United, in which they lost in a replay.
Now, they are one game away from a potential money-spinner against a Football League club.
First, they must navigate a tough trip to Chester in National League North this Saturday (10 October), before returning to The Eyrie to face Cray Wanderers for a place in the hat for the first round draw.
