The FA Cup first round will take place next month [Getty Images] Eighth-tier AFC Rushden & Diamonds will be in the draw for the FA Cup first round for the first time in their history when the draw is made on Monday. The Northern Premier League Division One Midlands side, founded in 2011 after the demise of Rushden & Diamonds, have won five games to reach the first round proper. They secured their place in the first round thanks to a 2-1 upset over National League North outfit Morecambe, who play two leagues above them. "I'm speechless," the club's manager Elliot Sandy told BBC Radio Northamptonshire after the full-time whistle. "I'm just delighted for everybody - the fans, the volunteers, all the players, my management staff - it's a really memorable day." Tadley Calleva will be the lowest-ranked team in Monday's draw after the ninth-tier outfit from Hampshire came from behind twice to force a replay with National League side Aldershot. Roared on by 883 travelling fans, the part-timers secured a 2-2 draw and now have the chance to earn their spot with a home replay on Tuesday. Seventh-tier Berkhamsted pulled off arguably the upset of the round as they came from behind to stun Southend and secure a 2-1 win at Roots Hall. The Hertfordshire outfit are one of four teams into the first round for the first time, describing the achievement as "the greatest day in the history of this football club". Enjoy your wins. @EmiratesFACup #upthecomrades pic.twitter.com/0aua5rSqhs — Berkhamsted FC (@BerkoFC) October 17, 2026 Two more seventh-tier sides, Plymouth Parkway and Sholing, also secured their spot in the first round for the first time, while Wimborne Town sealed their place in the draw for the first time since 1982. Guiseley also make up the seventh tier representation in round one. We know a thing or two about boats… #UpTheBoatmen 🚢 pic.twitter.com/iWbPFyhwh3 — Sholing FC (@sholingfc) October 17, 2026 Several other clubs from the seventh and eighth tiers also kept their hopes alive after earning replays, which will be decided on Tuesday. Stafford Rangers, Bury, Leatherhead, Gloucester City and Chesham United all held National League opposition to draws, with the Shakers attracting a crowd of almost 5,000 to Gigg Lane for their televised tie against Harrogate, which ended 1-1. Saturday's winners have all banked themselves £9,375 in prize money and the opportunity to be drawn against League One or League Two opposition, including former FA Cup winners Leicester City, Sheffield Wednesday, Huddersfield Town and Bradford City. The first round fixtures will be played around the weekend of Saturday, 7 November. Saturday's FA Cup fourth qualifying round results Bury 1-1 Harrogate Town AFC Rushden & Diamonds 2-1 Morecambe Aldershot Town 2-2 Tadley Calleva Altrincham 0-0 United of Manchester Barrow 0-0 Gloucester City Bedford Town 0-0 Cray Wanderers Boreham Wood 3-2 Woking Boston United 1-3 Scunthorpe United Carlisle United 2-1 Tamworth Chesham United 0-0 Forest Green Rovers Chorley 1-1 Worcester City Dover Athletic 3-2 Dorking Wanderers Eastleigh 3-2 Brentwood Town Fylde 5-0 Atherton Collieries Gateshead 1-1 Stafford Rangers Halifax Town 3-2 South Shields Harborough Town 3-1 Spennymoor Town Hartlepool United 0-2 Marine Kidderminster Harriers 2-1 Solihull Moors Leatherhead 3-3 Yeovil Town Leiston 0-3 Guiseley Macclesfield 1-1 Anstey Nomads Plymouth Parkway 2-0 Chertey Town Salisbury 3-0 Eastbourne Borough Sholing 2-0 SE Dons Southend United 1-2 Berkhamsted Spalding United 2-2 Alvechurch Sutton United 1-0 Truro City Torquay United 0-1 Oxford City Uxbridge 0-4 Hornchurch Wealdstone 3-0 Worthing Wimborne Town 1-0 Chelmsford City How to follow first round draw The FA Cup first round draw will be made at 18:35 BST on Monday 19 October, live on TNT Sports and the TNT Sports YouTube channel. The draw will be made by Martin Keown and Fara Williams, two former winners of the competition.
More on this story
Rushden & Diamonds phoenix club target FA Cup first 'Our roots are Man Utd' - but FC United ethos 'more important than ever' Bury FC fans say bumper FA Cup crowd 'meant everything' Plymouth Parkway ready for their 'FA Cup final'
