Concord Rangers 0-1 Mansfield Town

Ollie Palmer's second-half goal helped Mansfield edge past non-league Concord in their FA Cup first-round replay.

The Conference South side had the better of the first half, with Matt Fry and Lewis Taaffe both going close.

Mansfield improved after the break as Palmer forced a save from Josh Vickers and Fergus Bell struck a post.

And the League Two side found a winner just after the hour mark when Palmer slid in at the back post to put away Rob Taylor's cross.

Jordan Chiedozie, whose 30-yard strike 10 days ago had forced the replay, almost snatched a late equaliser but poked over from close range.

Managed by PE teacher Danny Cowley, the Canvey Island side were committed and spirited in the wet and cold conditions, particularly in the first period, against a team 46 places above them on the football ladder.

Mansfield, still managerless since Paul Cox's departure last week, pulled away though as the game drew on, with Palmer's back-post finish halting Concord's momentum.

The former Havant & Waterlooville man should have had a second, but failed to beat Arsenal loanee Vickers when through one-on-one.

And although Rangers forced a series of late corners, the Stags held on to secure a second-round tie at Cambridge United.

Concord Rangers manager Danny Cowley told BBC Essex:

"Obviously we're disappointed, but once we have dusted ourselves down, we'll be mighty proud of the run that we've had.

"Football is about moments and small margins and we just came out the wrong side, it was a close game I don't think there was anything in it.

"From a neutral's perspective they probably wouldn't have known who the League Two side was because I think we matched them toe-to-toe and gave them problems, especially in the first half.

"We said in the dressing room that you don't want to have any regrets. I've got players at different stages of their career and for some this would have been the pinnacle and everything for them. I'm pleased that they all did well and they did themselves credit."

Mansfield caretaker manager Adam Murray told BBC Radio Nottingham:

"We knew what kind of game it was going to be, the atmosphere that was going to be created and the state of the pitch and surroundings.

"For the neutral it would have been exiting at times, it was end to end and got too open for my liking.

"You have to understand that these guys from Concord Rangers have been at work all day as well, and it is a credit to them and their management team for putting in a performance like that. It was a real tough job for us."