Nile Ranger scored a sensational winner in extra time as seventh-tier Kettering Town produced the biggest shock of the FA Cup first round against near-neighbours Northampton Town.

The former Newcastle United striker, now 33, headed in against the League One Cobblers, who are 17 miles and four divisions apart from the Southern League Premier Division Central leaders.

Northampton took a first-half lead as Kettering captain Connor Johnson unluckily diverted a Tariqe Fosu shot into his own net.

Johnson was a rock in defence after that misfortune as Kettering-born teenager Luca Miller scored a stunning equaliser with his head after coming on as a substitute, setting the scene for Ranger’s winner.

It has been a long road to redemption for Ranger, who has had numerous off-field issues amid a career that began at St James’ Park in 2009.

Any chance of an upset became even harder after 28 minutes when Fosu’s wayward shot cannoned off the thigh of Johnson to give the home side the lead at a packed Sixfields.

Kettering keeper Dan Jezeph produced two great saves from Liam McCarron to keep the non-league side in the contest, and they gradually took over in the second half and pinned the Cobblers back.

With Ranger starting, two more former Premier League strikers, Gary Hooper and Marvin Sordell, came on for the Poppies, but it was teenage substitute Miller who changed the course of the game.

Ben Hart swung in a wicked cross from the right and the local boy timed his run to perfection to guide a picture-book header into the top corner.

Northampton tried to respond but with Johnson marshalling the defence the away side held firm, with Aaron Powell’s sliding block to deny Akin Odimayo being especially heroic.

Just two minutes into the extra 30 minutes, Miller took a hand again, drifting in an excellent corner which was met by Ranger with a thumping finish.

Kettering Town striker Nile Ranger told BBC Two:

"It's special, especially where we're coming from.

"Obviously our tier of football is quite low, so coming to Northampton, it's a derby as well. Look what it means to the fans. It's a lot.

"I'm trying to be humble. I'm getting old now.

"Obviously I went down a level to show everyone I'm still hungry. It feels good for myself as well."