HOLBEACH United earned a cracking 2-0 FA Cup victory at Arnold Town on Saturday, while Spalding United were upset 2-1 by Blaby and Whetstone and Deeping Rangers slumped 3-1 at Holbrook Sports.
The Tigers looked to have a tough test on paper, but goals in each half from new strikers Sam Mulready and Jermaine Palmer saw them home in the Extra Preliminary Round clash.
John Chand’s men will face another away day in the Preliminary Round, at either Shirebrook Town or Kirby Muxloe (winner not known as this article was written).
But for rivals Spalding and Deeping, the FA Cup dream is already over.
The much-fancied Tulips were way below par at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field and went in 1-0 down thanks to a scrappy Jermaine Gordon goal.
Sub Ash Stevens missed a sitter in the second period as Spalding slowly improved – and they looked to have gotten themselves out of jail when Kieran Doherty rifled home a late leveller (78).
But Blaby had other ideas and Gordon instantly restored their lead with a sliding effort from an angle.
Tulips supremo Pat Rayment had targeted a long, money-spinning run in the FA Cup. But they’re now left to rue a wasted opportunity against a Blaby side that were there for the taking.
Deeping, who enjoyed a great run in last year’s competition, are also out. Alex Beck did have Rangers level at one stage against Holbrook, but they eventually succumbed 3-1.
Elsewhere, Moulton Harrox began the new Peterborough and District League season with a fine 3-2 triumph at ICA Sports.
But defending champions Pinchbeck were hammered 6-1 at home by Whittlesey Blue Star, which puts them at the bottom of the pile after day one.
There were wins for Crowland Town and Deeping Rangers Reserves, though. Deeping beat Riverside 1-0, while Crowland saw off Stilton 2-0.
In Division One, Holbeach United Reserves lost 2-1 at home to Langtoft and Moulton Harrox Reserves triumphed 3-2 at King’s Lynn Town Reserves.
See Tuesday’s Lincolnshire Free Press for more on the weekend football.