They play in the Evo-Stik Premier Division, four divisions below fellow Greater Manchester side Rochdale, who were promoted to League One last season.
The winning goal, in the fourth minute of added time, had an element of controversy about it as Rochdale claimed that Norton had kicked the ball out of Lillis's hands, but referee Geoff Eltringham waved away their protests, seconds before blowing the final whistle which prompted a pitch invasion from the jubilant United fans.
"I thought the referee was going to blow for a free-kick but he only had one hand on it," admitted Norton.
"We were dreading a replay, my legs wouldn't have taken it."
Manager Karl Marginson said: "I can't decide whether we deserved it or not.
"Rochdale were magnificent at times the way they moved the ball around, but we defended superbly apart from the two set-pieces which brought them back into the game."
Dale boss Keith Hill felt that FC United probably deserved their victory but was unhappy that the winning goal was allowed to stand.
"I think he [Eltringham] possibly got it wrong and it would be nice if the referee admitted to getting it wrong," said Hill.
"At the end of the day he has got the decision wrong but the goal stands. I thought FC were excellent, the crowd were electric, absolutely superb and they deserve to go through."
FC United are the first team to book their place in the draw for the second round, which will take place at approximately 1400 GMT on Sunday after the live television coverage of the match between Southport and Sheffield Wednesday.
Rochdale manager Keith Hill told BBC Radio Manchester: "We've not lost any points we've lost a cup-tie and I'm not too sure we deserved to lose but I'm not sure we deserved to win either.
"It's not embarrassing, it's a football match and they were very competitive and I thought they were a very good side.
"They [Rochdale fans] have got a right to be disappointed - they expect us to win these matches but unfortunately we haven't."
FC United of Manchester manager Karl Marginson told BBC Radio Manchester: "For long periods of that game we've been right under the cosh and we've rode our luck a little bit but I suppose that's the FA Cup isn't it?
"I can't ask for more than the work that they've put in but if you play against teams from higher divisions you've got to show heart and spirit and we showed that in abundance tonight.
"I think it's been entertaining as I've been in the middle of it so hopefully everybody else has enjoyed it and you'll go far to see a better second goal."
Live text and stats
Friday, 5 November 2010
The FA Cup
Home Team
Score
Away Team
Time
Rochdale
2-3
FC United
FT
(HT 0-1)
Elding 53
Dawson 78
Platt 42
Cotterill 49
Norton 90+4
Rochdale
01 Lillis yellow card
02 Wiseman
03 Widdowson
04 Holness yellow card
26 Dawson
06 Barry-Murphy
07 Kennedy
08 Jones
29 Adams (Akpa Akpro 56)
09 Elding
19 O'Grady
Substitutes
21 Edwards,
18 Thompson,
28 Flynn,
11 Done,
15 Thompson,
14 Akpa Akpro,
35 Gray
FC United of Manchester
01 Ashton
02 Jacobs
05 Munroe
06 McManus
03 Battersby (Holden 87)
04 Platt
08 Cotterill
10 Wright
07 Roca (Ovington 74)
09 Norton
11 Deegan yellow card (Carden 85)
Substitutes
13 Hibbert,
17 Parker,
12 Holden,
16 Ovington,
18 Ayres,
14 Carden,
15 Hurst
Ref: Geoff EltringhamAtt: 7,048
ROCHDALE
FC UNITED
Possession
Rochdale48%
FC United52%
Attempts on target
Rochdale6
FC United7
Attempts off target
Rochdale10
FC United6
Corners
Rochdale4
FC United6
Fouls
Rochdale4
FC United11
Final Result
Full Time
90:00+5:22 The game is over, as the referee blows his whistle.
90:00+4:46 Booking The referee shows Marcus Holness a yellow card.
90:00+4:46 Booking Josh Lillis receives a yellow card.
90:00+3:49 GOAL - Michael Norton:Rochdale 2 - 3 FC United of Manchester Goal scored by Michael Norton from close range low into the middle of the goal. Rochdale 2-3 FC United of Manchester.
90:00+2:22 Effort from the edge of the area by Anthony Elding goes wide of the right-hand post.
90:00+2:08 Joe Widdowson sends in a cross, clearance by Jake Cotterill.
88:25 Jerome Wright sends in a cross, Michael Norton takes a shot. Comfortable save by Josh Lillis.
87:38 Corner taken by Jerome Wright, clearance made by Brian Barry-Murphy.
86:56 Inswinging corner taken by Jerome Wright, clearance made by Marcus Holness.
86:56 Substitution James Holden joins the action as a substitute, replacing Richard Battersby.
84:27 Substitution Simon Carden on for Ben Deegan.
84:13 Effort from the edge of the box by Chris O'Grady goes wide of the right-hand upright.
83:15 Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro takes a shot. Save by Samuel Ashton.
82:38 The assistant referee signals for offside against Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro. Scott McManus restarts play with the free kick.
81:41 Chris O'Grady challenges Kyle Jacobs unfairly and gives away a free kick. Samuel Ashton restarts play with the free kick.
78:24 The offside flag is raised against Michael Norton. Free kick taken by Josh Lillis.
77:29 Inswinging corner taken by Brian Barry-Murphy from the left by-line, the assist for the goal came from Brian Barry-Murphy.
77:29 GOAL - Craig Dawson:Rochdale 2 - 2 FC United of Manchester Craig Dawson finds the back of the net with a headed goal from close in. Rochdale 2-2 FC United of Manchester.
76:59 Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro takes a shot. Blocked by Richard Battersby.
73:38 Substitution (FC United of Manchester) makes a substitution, with Chris Ovington coming on for Carlos Roca.
72:09 The ball is swung over by Brian Barry-Murphy, Craig Dawson takes a shot. Save by Samuel Ashton.
71:45 Corner from the right by-line taken by Brian Barry-Murphy, clearance by Scott McManus.
71:13 Michael Norton is ruled offside. Josh Lillis takes the indirect free kick.
70:53 Anthony Elding takes a shot. Blocked by Karl Munroe.
70:13 Chris O'Grady takes a shot. Clearance by Richard Battersby.
69:13 A cross is delivered by Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro, save made by Samuel Ashton.
66:43 Craig Dawson fouled by Ben Deegan, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Brian Barry-Murphy.
65:41 Brian Barry-Murphy crosses the ball.
65:27 The ball is swung over by Chris O'Grady.
65:01 The ball is swung over by Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro, Kyle Jacobs makes a clearance.
64:05 Kyle Jacobs delivers the ball, Marcus Holness manages to make a clearance.
63:00 Shot from outside the area by Gary Jones misses to the left of the target.
60:58 Kyle Jacobs has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the right-hand post.
60:19 Foul by Ben Deegan on Scott Wiseman, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Josh Lillis.
60:19 Booking Ben Deegan is cautioned by the ref for unsporting behaviour.
58:57 Free kick awarded for a foul by Jerome Wright on Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro. The ball is swung over by Brian Barry-Murphy, Header
by Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro from deep inside the penalty area misses to the right of the target.
57:35 The referee blows for offside. Marcus Holness takes the free kick.
55:22 Substitution (Rochdale) makes a substitution, with Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro coming on for Nicky Adams.
55:15 Anthony Elding sends in a cross.
54:40 A cross is delivered by Carlos Roca, Craig Dawson manages to make a clearance.
52:42 Assist by Brian Barry-Murphy.
52:42 GOAL - Anthony Elding:Rochdale 1 - 2 FC United of Manchester Anthony Elding finds the net with a headed goal from inside the penalty box. Rochdale 1-2 FC United of Manchester.
51:45 Unfair challenge on Chris O'Grady by Karl Munroe results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Brian Barry-Murphy.
50:19 Jerome Wright takes a corner.
50:08 The ball is delivered by Carlos Roca, Marcus Holness manages to make a clearance.
48:50 The assist for the goal came from Nicky Platt.
48:50 GOAL - Jake Cotterill:Rochdale 0 - 2 FC United of Manchester Jake Cotterill finds the back of the net with a goal from long range to the top right corner of the goal. Rochdale 0-2 FC
United of Manchester.
47:00 The assistant referee signals for offside against Chris O'Grady. Free kick taken by Samuel Ashton.
46:29 A cross is delivered by Jerome Wright, Craig Dawson manages to make a clearance.
45:40 The referee gives a free kick against Nicky Adams for handball. Free kick taken by Scott McManus.
45:16 Free kick awarded for a foul by Jerome Wright on Jason Kennedy. Brian Barry-Murphy takes the free kick.
45:01 The second half kicks off.
Half Time
45:00+3:06 The first half comes to an end.
45:00+1:33 Foul by Richard Battersby on Nicky Adams, free kick awarded. Craig Dawson takes the direct free kick.
45:00+0:30 Free kick awarded for a foul by Jerome Wright on Scott Wiseman. Josh Lillis restarts play with the free kick.
45:00+0:15 Foul by Craig Dawson on Ben Deegan, free kick awarded. Nicky Platt takes the direct free kick.
44:40 Michael Norton takes a shot. Marcus Holness gets a block in.
44:00 Long distance shot from Jason Kennedy misses to the left of the goal.
41:40 Assist by Jerome Wright.
41:40 GOAL - Nicky Platt:Rochdale 0 - 1 FC United of Manchester Nicky Platt fires in a goal from inside the box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Rochdale 0-1 FC United of Manchester.
39:44 Effort from the edge of the area by Michael Norton goes wide of the right-hand upright.
38:49 Foul by Ben Deegan on Brian Barry-Murphy, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Marcus Holness.
37:22 Anthony Elding takes a shot from just inside the penalty box which clears the bar.
36:49 Inswinging corner taken by Nicky Platt from the left by-line, Gary Jones manages to make a clearance.
36:38 Jerome Wright takes a shot. Save made by Josh Lillis.
36:03 The ball is delivered by Brian Barry-Murphy.
34:55 Michael Norton is adjudged to have handled the ball. Marcus Holness restarts play with the free kick.
33:43 Ben Deegan takes a shot. Save made by Josh Lillis.
33:06 A cross is delivered by Scott Wiseman, clearance made by Karl Munroe.
31:34 Gary Jones crosses the ball, Headed effort from inside the area by Anthony Elding misses to the right of the goal.
28:42 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Scott Wiseman by Richard Battersby. Scott Wiseman restarts play with the free
kick.
28:04 The ball is delivered by Richard Battersby.
27:48 Short corner taken by Nicky Platt.
27:39 The ball is sent over by Jerome Wright, blocked by Craig Dawson.
25:14 Nicky Adams has an effort at goal from just inside the box that misses to the right of the target.
20:22 Carlos Roca takes a shot. Josh Lillis makes a save.
17:57 Nicky Platt delivers the ball, Michael Norton has an effort at goal from close in which goes wide left of the target.
16:48 Foul by Nicky Adams on Scott McManus, free kick awarded. Scott McManus takes the free kick.
15:53 Ben Deegan challenges Brian Barry-Murphy unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Josh Lillis.
15:15 The offside flag is raised against Anthony Elding. Samuel Ashton takes the indirect free kick.
14:04 Scott Wiseman crosses the ball, save made by Samuel Ashton.
12:52 Scott Wiseman is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Richard Battersby takes the indirect free kick.
11:43 Nicky Adams takes a shot. Samuel Ashton makes a comfortable save.
11:29 Carlos Roca produces a cross, save by Josh Lillis.
10:14 The assistant referee signals for offside against Ben Deegan. Marcus Holness restarts play with the free kick.
9:53 Free kick awarded for a foul by Nicky Platt on Chris O'Grady. Jason Kennedy takes the free kick.
8:54 The ball is delivered by Nicky Adams.
7:45 Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Nicky Platt played to the near post, Jason Kennedy manages to make a clearance.
6:11 Shot from just outside the box by Jerome Wright goes over the target.
4:52 Nicky Adams is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Free kick taken by Samuel Ashton.
3:21 Carlos Roca takes a shot. Save by Josh Lillis.
1:53 Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Brian Barry-Murphy from the right by-line, free kick awarded for a foul by Craig Dawson
on Scott McManus. Samuel Ashton takes the direct free kick.
0:53 Corner from left by-line crossed in by Nicky Adams.
0:44 Jason Kennedy produces a cross.
0:00 The game kicks-off.
Live text and data provided by The Press Association.
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