FA Cup hero Jack Duggan’s diggin’ for more glory with Stourbridge

JACK DUGGAN fired Stourbridge into the FA Cup third round and himself into the record books last Tuesday – but the big defender is still hungry for more.

Duggan was in the right place at the right time, lurking at the back post in the 86th minute as Northampton keeper David Cornell flapped at a teasing Luke Benbow free-kick.

The central defender, who won every header at the back, somehow kept his calm to smash the loose ball into the back of the net with his weaker left foot and send the 2,520 Amblecote crowd wild.

The Step 3 Glassboys are now into the third round for the first time in their history and on Tuesday’s evidence, League Two Wycombe Wanderers have plenty to worry about.

Duggan said: “It still hasn’t really sunk in what we’ve done. I know I’ve got all the limelight because I scored but all of the lads were fantastic.

“We were the better team from start to finish and it would have been unjust had we not won the game.

“Normally Benbow shoots from free-kicks so I wasn’t really following the ball. I was at the back post and it just fell perfectly for me. It went in slow motion but thankfully it went in, I’m still watching it back now!

History

“Not many people can say they’ve scored a goal that has made history for such a big club – it means so much to the us and the town.

“We’ve got no pressure on us and that’s probably part of the reason we were so good on Tuesday. If we can continue to play like that, we’ll beat Wycombe and win the league!

“We’re a confident bunch of lads, we work hard for each other and we’re blessed with some really good players – we won’t fear anyone.”

Elsewhere last Tuesday, goals from Scott Wilson and Mikael Mandron in the final two minutes of the first half were enough to send Martin Allen’s Eastleigh through at the expense of National League North hosts FC Halifax Town.

Wilson finished off a neat ball across the box from James Constable in the 43rd minute before Mandron doubled the lead from the spot in first-half stoppage time after Luke Coulson was fouled by Josh MacDonald.

The visitors held on leaving Allen tasting victory for the first time as Eastleigh boss. The Spitfires will travel to Allen’s former club Brentford in the third round.

Meanwhile, Macclesfield Town couldn’t pull off another FA Cup shock as they were beaten 3-0 at Oxford United.

The Silkmen, who knocked out Walsall in the first round, were already behind to Ryan Taylor’s goal when Mitch Hancox was sent off for two yellows just before half-time.

Oxford took full advantage of the extra man and further goals from Joe Rothwell and Kane Hemmings saw Macc bow out.