Stamford 1, Dereham Town 0A last-gasp goal from a defender gave the Magpies an undeserved knockout in Tuesday night's FA Cup replay.Stamford sent Scott Taylor forward and in the 91st minute he fired home Kirk's centre from the right.

Stamford 1, Dereham Town 0

A last-gasp goal from a defender gave the Magpies an undeserved knockout in Tuesday night's FA Cup replay.

Stamford sent Scott Taylor forward and in the 91st minute he fired home Kirk's centre from the right. Dereham did not deserve to lose after producing a fantastic performance, writes Rene Kendal.

Young J Estoe-Smith replaced the injured Dean Miller in the Magpies' defence, with Nicky Howell starting up front. Play was tight in the opening minutes on Stamford's narrow Wothorpe Road pitch.

After Stamford had won two corners, Dereham had their first chance in the 11th minute when Ollie Willis set up Beaumont, who sliced his shot wide. Barrett sent Beaumont away with a superb ball in the 20th minute and home keeper Davies made a fine save from his low drive.

Two minutes later, Dereham skipper Barrett missed a great chance when he diverted Smith's free-kick wide from close range. The Northern League side responded with Cunnington hitting a fierce 20-yarder over the bar then forcing Higgs into a tremendous full-length save from a well-struck low drive.

Dereham had the better chances in a competitive opening half-hour. As the high tempo continued, Higgs punched a dangerous cross out to Stebbings, who failed to connect with the goal at his mercy. There were chances at either end, but the first half finished goalless.

The start of the second half saw Higgs make a vital save to keep out Watson's low shot.

In the 70th minute both sides missed good opportunities to score. Ollie Willis squared the ball to Smith, who ballooned his shot over the top before Stamford's Cotton fired over a low shot-cum-cross that Stebbings failed to prod home at the far post. Barrett struck a crisp 20-yarder that Davies did well to save.

The game's pace showed little sign of abating with Watson drilling Stebbings' knock-down inches over in the 78th minute.

Cotton cut inside and raised his 20-yard effort inches over the top as both sides searched for the winner.

Smith sent Howell away from the centre of the park, and after turning inside the Dereham forward struck a left-foot shot that Davies hung on to.

Dereham are back in league action on Saturday, at home to Ridgeons Premier high-fliers Tiptree United (3pm).