FA Cup progress for Hednesford unbelievable - King

Hednesford Town won the FA Trophy in 2004

Hednesford Town boss Steve King described his team's progress to the first round of the FA Cup by beating National League side Gateshead as an "unbelievable" achievement.

The Pitmen, who play in tier eight, are the lowest-ranked team left in the competition and will now host seventh-tier Gainsborough Trinity in early November.

Tuesday's 3-1 win in the fourth qualifying round replay sealed a place in round one for the first time since 2013.

But the Staffordshire side had to come from behind to do it.

Having gone behind after 10 minutes, strikes from Dom McHale before half-time and well-worked efforts from Rob Stevenson and Sion Spence after the break completed a famous win to send the 39 travelling Hednesford fans home happy.

"It was the worst possible start, but we knew we could hit them on the break and turn it over," Smith told BBC Radio WM.

"We stuck to our gameplan and it frustrated them. We worked our socks off as a group and our finishes were stunning. It was a fantastic performance from the boys."

Last season's FA Trophy winners Gateshead, who are fourth in the National League, three divisions above Hednesford, were big favourites to go through at home following their 1-1 draw at Keys Park in the first meeting.

Smith said going a goal down early on was a concern but he was confident his side had the ability to hurt the Heed.

"You always worry [at 1-0], no-one beats them here. They've played 15 home games and only lost two," King said.

"But I know we're always going to score - I'm a proud, proud man. As a group and a club, it's unbelievable.

"No-one gave us any hope. People were telling me they were 9-1 on, you had to put nine quid on to win a pound.

"They are a fantastic football team - I'd pay to watch them but the way we performed and set about our task was top drawer."

Pitmen eyeing more FA Cup glory

Hednesford's moment in the FA Cup spotlight will give their fans hope that the club that almost folded 18 months ago, before an eventual takeover saved the day, can deliver some more glorious memories in the competition.

The Pitmen's run to the fourth round in 1997 when they lost to Premier League side Middlesbrough made national headlines.

But reaching round one for the first time since losing to Crawley 11 years ago gives the 144-year-old club the chance to rekindle those memories.