Billy Sharp's double helps Doncaster reach FA Cup third round after beating Kettering
Veteran striker Billy Sharp broke Kettering Town hearts with two goals as Doncaster Rovers came from behind to secure an extra-time win in the FA Cup second round.
The Poppies, top of the Southern League Premier Central, defied the 69-place gap to their League Two opponents to lead through Isiah Noel-Williams until the 75th minute.
Former Sheffield United marksman Sharp, 38, equalised to take the tie into an additional half hour and then fired in the winner as the non-league side, who beat League One neighbours Northampton Town in the last round, wilted.
Victory puts Rovers in Monday's draw for the third round, reaching that stage for the first time in three years.
Doncaster lost their last meeting with non-league opposition, to King's Lynn in 2022, and a run of three successive draws has reined in their promotion bid in League Two.
That run looked like getting worse as Kettering, led by ex-Newcastle man Nile Ranger - matchwinner at Sixfields in the last round - showed all the confidence that comes from their run of eight wins in their last nine games.
The Poppies, who had also seen off Farsley Celtic from a tier above them in the pyramid during their run to the second round, survived an early penalty appeal as goalkeeper Jason Alexander just got enough of the ball before taking out Luke Molyneux.
Doncaster centre-back Tom Anderson, dominant in both boxes throughout, also bounced a header off the top of the bar and Rovers leading scorer Molyneux forced a fine save from Alexander, but the home side went ahead on the half-hour mark.
Veteran striker Billy Sharp celebrates his equalising goal for Doncaster at Kettering.
Their press saw on-loan West Ham youngster Patrick Kelly lose the ball to Noel-Williams, the 21-year-old son of former Watford favourite Gifton, who strode towards goal and expertly picked out the far corner to send Latimer Park wild with celebration.
Alexander, who stood in for injured regular keeper Dan Jezeph, produced another brilliant stop to deny Kyle Hurst but the towering Anderson created the leveller with 15 minutes to go.
He headed goalwards from a corner and Sharp had the presence of mind to control on his thigh and volley the ball home from close range.
Kettering centre-back Lewis White's shot on the turn almost restored their lead and in added time he cleared off the line from Molyneux as Doncaster's superior fitness began to tell.
With the cracks starting to show, Sharp won it as another corner fell at his feet in the box.
His first shot was blocked but he rifled the second through a crowd of players and into the net.
'They gave us a right good game' - reaction
Doncaster Rovers match-winner Billy Sharp told BBC Sport:
"Credit to Kettering, in the first half they showed more energy, won more duels, and [Isiah] Noel-Williams was the best player on the pitch.
"We made a few changes which helped us and got us up the pitch a bit more, with more bodies in the final third and I was the lucky one to get the two goals to get us into the third round.
"I know it's important for Kettering to get as far as they can but it is us for us as well. The gaffer, as we all do, loves the FA Cup. To score in the FA Cup, I've over the moon.
"They gave us a right good game, but we're delighted to get through and hopefully we get a good draw now."
Doncaster Rovers boss Grant McCann after the 2-1 extra time cup win at Kettering Town.
Kettering boss Richard Lavery:
"We've done our club proud today and our fans proud. We've taken Doncaster to the wire and just fallen at the final hurdle.
"I'm just gutted for the lads because we've shown we're a good team. We showed it at Northampton and we've done it against Doncaster.
"We've beaten one league team and taken another to extra-time so I'm proud. I'm gutted we've lost but that's football.
"This has put the club back on the map. I'm the worst loser in the world but I'll have to take this on the chin."
