Helston Athletic's Rikki Shepherd scored twice in the last five minutes to record a comeback 2-1 victory over local rivals Falmouth Town in a thrilling FA Cup Prelininary Round tie at Kellaway Park.
In what was Helston's first home game in the competition in their history they went behind after 24 minutes when Tom Moxham's searching cross looped all the way into the far corner to put Falmouth in the ascendency.
Helston knocked on the door for the majority of the second half after making a tactical tweak at the break and drew level in the 85th minute when Shepherd found himself unmarked in the area to flick a free-kick from Cory Harvey into the back of the net.
But the former Millbrook man, who scored 23 times in the league last season, wasn't finished yet as he was able to sidefoot a cross from Tom Payne into the far corner two minutes from time to guide the Blues to victory.
Read how the drama unfolded live here
In front of 502 fans at Kellaway Park Falmouth began proceedings looking to make it four wins in a row in all competitions but it was Helston's Jordan Bentley who had the best opportunity inside the opening ten minutes when he was left unmarked at a corner.
But the former Plymouth Argyle man could only see his goalbound header blocked by a black and amber shirt.
Rubin Wilson also came close with a header for Helston following a deep cross from Tom Payne but saw his effort fly over Ryan Barnes' bar.
Tom Annear then came inches away from scoring what would have been goal of the season when he shocked everyone in the stadium by shooting from inside his own half. But the effort went ever so slightly over the crossbar to spare the blushes of Cory Harvey in the Helston net with 17 minutes played.
The visitors did give their vocal travelling fans a reason to cheer on 24 minutes when they took the lead through an unlikely source. Left back Tom Moxham looked to swing a ball into the area. His delivery couldn't find a Falmouth shirt but could find the back of the net though as it curled its way into the far corner to put Town a goal to the good.
Jack Webber was making his 100th Town appearance and was so close to scoring on his memorable day minutes later but saw a left footed curler fly just the wrong side of the post for his side while at the other end Payne saw his effort suffer a similar fate.
Helston had to thank some desperate defending that kept them in the game as a blue shirt hurled their way back onto the line to scoop a Tim Nixon effort away in the 34th minute before Webber again was frustrated to see a gorgeous left-footed volley bounce just shy of the right post as Town went in a goal to the good at the break.
The hosts made one tactical change at half time to get themselves back into a game which Falmouth had bossed thus far with Jordan Copp making way for Sam Carter.
Inmediately, they took the game to Falmouth, being a tad more direct with their play. However, their delivery at free-kicks and corners let them down as Falmouth continued to defend strongly.
But when the visitors did attack they strode forward with venom and captain for the day Luke Brabyn was unfortunate to see his effort slide wide of the near post after good build up play from Nixon ten minutes into the second half.
On the hour mark Brabyn went close again after luring in three Helston defenders before pulling the trigger. But his low effort was well smothered by Harvey.
Helston should have been level in the game with 74 minutes on the clock when Falmouth's Barnes came to claim a free-kick but got his bearings all wrong as he misjudged the flight of the ball, but somehow with the goal gaping Josh Storey could only head over the open goal.
Luke Barner was the next Falmouth man to force a save out of Harvey on the counter attack but the advanced midfielder could only strike straight down the throat of the former Mousehole shot stopper.
As the game entered the final ten minutes Helston committed even more men forward, they also made an attacking sub exchanging Tyler Elliott for Kai Cornish and their efforts paid off when Shepherd glanced home with 85 minutes played.
A free-kick was sent long into the box from Harvey and though Helston's target man Rubin Wilson was heavily marked no Town shirt was in the proximity of Shepherd as he found space to nod the ball on and into the back of the net to spark celebrations among the Helston contingent. Although one fan took it too far by running onto the pitch and parading in front of the Falmouth dugout.
Buoyed by the equaliser Athletic had the momentum on their side and completed the turnaround with 88 minutes on the clock.
Payne did marvellously well to keep the ball in play on the left flank before getting to the byline and digging a cross into the box.
His centre was perfect for Shepherd who was alone less than 12 yards home to side foot a volley into the far corner to turn the game completely on its head and send Helston into the first qualifying round for the very first time in their history.
The teams will meet each other again at Kellaway Park on Tuesday night in the Western League, with kick off at 7:45pm
Lineups:
Helston Athletic: C. Harvey, I. Burdon, J. Bentley, T. Payne, H. Jewell, J. Storey, T. Elliott, J. Copp, S. Colwell, R. Wilson, R. Shepherd
Subs: M. Searle, F. Walter, S. Carter, J. Tripconey, T. Hands
Falmouth Town: R. Barnes, S. Kellow, T. Moxham, J. Webber, T. Annear, K. Gordon-Dunn, L. Brabyn, C. Hutchinson, C. Edney, L. Barner, T. Nixon
Subs: K. Davies, A. Wharton, J. Swan, A. Calleja-Stayne, J. Davies
Attendance 502
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