Canvey Island 1-0 Northampton

Canvey manager Jeff King celebrates with fans

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Canvey Island 1-0 Northampton

Canvey Island continued their giant-killing run after they dumped Second Division side Northampton Town out of the FA Cup at Park Lane.

Striker Neil Gregory was once again the Ryman Premier League side's hero when he fired past Keith Welch in the 48th minute.

Gregory, who scored his side's late winner in the 1-0 victory over Wigan in round one, rounded off a superb Canvey move instigated by former West Ham full-back Julian Dicks.

Northampton dominated for much of the first half, but could not turn their possession and territorial advantage into goals.

The Cobblers did find the net after 26 minutes, but Richard Hope's close-range effort was disallowed after the referee spotted an infringement in the box.

Equaliser search

But the turning moment came three minutes after the half-time interval when Gregory broke the deadlock.

Spurred into action, Northampton should have pulled level in the 69th minute, but veteran striker Marco Gabbiadini was denied by a superb challenge from Chris Duffy on the edge of the six-yard box.

As Northampton pressed men forward looking for the equaliser, Canvey came close to doubling their advantage five minutes from time.

Dicks' swerving free-kick from the edge of the box was tipped over the crossbar by Welch.

The save was Welch's last of the game when he was sent off after handling outside the area when Lee Boylan chipped the ball forward on a counterattack.

First Division leaders Burnley now stand in the way between Jeff King's side and a place in the fourth round.

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Canvey Island: Harrison, Kennedy, Duffy, Chenery, Dicks, Smith, Vaughan, Stimson, Gregory, Miller, Parmenter. Subs: Bennett, Boylan, Cobb, Knight, Ward.

Northampton: Welch, Spedding, Marsh, Hunter, Hope, Burgess, Sampson, Frain, Hunt, Forrester, Gabbiadini. Subs: Sollitt, Parkin, Asamoah, McGregor, Carruthers.

Referee: P Taylor (Cheshunt).