Cheltenham Town have progressed into the second round of the FA Cup after a 3-1 victory over Northern Premier League side, South Shields.
Goals from Alife May and Liam Sercombe wrapped up the victory as Ellis Chapman made an impressive start to life at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium.
The Robins are now in the hat for the next round of the FA Cup, with the draw taking place on Monday November 9.
South Shields had the chance to progress into the second round of the competition for the first time since 1971, but an early Cheltenham goal dampened their hope of a historic win after only ten minutes had passed on the clock.
On his full debut, Chapman hoisted the ball over the top of the Mariners’ defence to pick out Matty Blair’s marauding run on the right flank. At the byline, Blair found May who was waiting to convert inside the six-yard box.
May’s second goal of the season didn’t deter Graham Fenton’s side in making the most of their first visit to Cheltenham in the club’s 46 year history.
South Shields captain Robert Briggs found Darius Osei at the far post with an accurate cross only minutes after May squandered the chance to double the hosts early advantage.
The Mariners’ celebrations were cut short when Osei was forced into being replaced by Will McCamley after colliding with the post.
To South Shields’ credit, Michael Duff’s Robins struggled to find a first half reply with a low block and well-organised defence proving difficult to break down. The non-league side caused problems on the break too.
Briggs - once more focal to South Shields’ attacking poise - found a pocket of space in front of Josh Griffiths’ goal, and fed a delicate pass towards substitute McCamley, who pulled his effort wide of the post from inside the box.
Cheltenham made their inferior opposition pay for some gilt-edged misses by restoring their lead seven minutes after half-time. In similar fashion to Cheltenham’s opener, it was Chapman who picked the lock again, so Blair could tee up May for his second of the afternoon.
South Shields have achieved three promotions in four seasons and barring last season's abandoned campaign, Fenton’s side might well have registered a fourth non-league promotion. Though, Cheltenham were in no mood to offer a cup run to the Tyneside club.
It was a full debut to remember for Chapman, who capped his performance with a third assist. He found Liam Sercombe in space outside South Shields’ box and on the swivel, the midfielder emphatically struck across Boney’s goal to add a third for the Robins.
Cheltenham will host Norwich City Under-21s at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium on Tuesday evening (kick-off 18:00) to complete their EFL Trophy group stage.
CHELTENHAM TOWN (3-4-3): J Griffiths (Gk) L Freestone (A Williams '79), B Tozer, W Boyle, C Thomas, E Chapman, M Blair, C Hussey L Sercombe, A May, R Reid (A Addai '79)
Subs not used: M Harris (Gk), C Clements, C Raglan, G Horton, T Sang.
SOUTH SHIELDS (3-4-1-2): M Boney (Gk), J Hunter, A Kempster, C Baxter (N Lowe '58), D Morse, B Adams, P Turnbull, C Ross, J Gilchrist R Briggs, D Osei (W McCamley '20).
Subs not used: R Coombe (Gk), W Verstraaten, A Thompson, J Gillies, J Hindle.
Referee: Martin Woods
Assistants: Gareth Viccars, Chris Husband. Fourth Official: Marvyn Amphlett