Downham Town claim second higher-league scalp in this season's FA Vase

Downham Town are beginning to enjoy life in the FA Vase after claiming their second higher-league scalp in this season's competition.

After accounting for Soham Town Rangers in a game that had to be switched from the SCL Memorial Field in the last round, Downham were at it again this afternoon as they knocked Kirkley and Pakefield out on penalties.

But today's achievement against their Thurlow Nunn Premier Division hosts was made even more remarkable by the fact that depleted Downham had 11 first-choice players unavailable for selection.

In fact they were that short that the names of joint managers Dale Stokes and Craig Dickson took up the only two spots on the substitutes bench.

Tommy Hunt cancelled out the home side's goal to take the game to penalties, where both sides struck the post in the shoot-out.

But a save from Duncan McAnally saw Downham defy the odds to triumph 4-3 on the spot.

Elsewhere this afternoon, Fakenham Town went down 3-2 at league leaders Harleston Town while Swaffham suffered a 6-2 defeat at home to Debenham LC.