Silence of the Lambs at Sandy Lane

Conference Premier side Tamworth were beaten 1-0 at Sandy Lane by Simon Clark’s men, who worked tirelessly in a 4-5-1 system to frustrate their opponents.

But it wasn’t a backs to the wall performance for 90 minutes, Tigers had the majority of possession for long spells and passed their way through the Tamworth midfield on a number of occasions.

A solitary goal from Ash Burbeary in the second half saw Worksop book a place in the second round and earn £5,000 in prize money.

Tigers began brightly, pushing up the field and winning a series of throw-ins level with the penalty area but failing to fashion a chance.

Five minutes in a switch in the play released Owain Warlow and the Welsh winger began a move that ended in a Jamie Jackson cross being headed away from the goalmouth.

Clark’s side found more joy down the left flank, Jackson setting Mark Hudson on a run and his cross was volleyed well over by Warlow.

Luke Sharry’s dangerous centre was spilled by Joe Collister, and the keeper barely held on to Jackson’s low drive - Worksop were unable to take advantage however.

For Tamworth, 10 minutes passed without them getting any significant possession, but when they did get hold of the ball a lovely lofted pass almost set Will Grocott free.

Worksop Town were appealing for a penalty when Jackson appeared to be blocked off by Richard Tait in the area, referee Mr. D. Handley was unmoved.

Burbeary thought he’d beaten Collister with a lob from Matt Young’s excellent through ball, the Tigers winger watching in agony as his effort drifted over.

Seconds later, with a quarter of an hour gone, Tamworth were almost gifted a goal as poor communication between Luke Shiels and Jon Worsnop led to the stopper dropping the ball and having to get down to tip Grocott’s shot wide.

A slip from Chris Wood let Danny Mills get to the byline and James Cotterill was on hand to halt his progress.

Shiels was at full stretch to knock the ball away from two attackers with Cotterill caught out and Worsnop well off his line.

Tamworth were now in the ascendancy and Scott Barrow was afforded time and space to shoot from just outside the box, the ball whistling past the far post.

A flowing counter attack that started 25 yards from their own goal took Worksop left to right and Sharry sent the ball over Collister’s bar.

One pinpoint accurate crossfield ball had Tigers stretched and Tait’s cross brought three shots that the home defence blocked.

Danny Thomas then let rip and brought a superb diving save from Worsnop, before the hosts broke from Tamworth’s corner and Jackson shot at Collister.

Warlow was beaten in the air and Iyseden Christie got the wrong side of Cotterill but could only hook the ball wide of Worsnop’s goal.

After a cagey opening to the second half Young came storming through the middle of the pitch and put Jackson clean through on goal, the striker finding the net but his celebrations were curtailed by a linesman’s flag.

Tamworth were denied by the width of the post when Ibrahim Farah crossed, Christie headed back across goal and Mills nodded onto the woodwork.

The first goal did eventually come on 62 minutes, after the best move of the match.

Warlow played a one-two with Hudson, steamed away down the left and his inviting cross-cum-shot was only palmed into the path of Burbeary at the back post, and he made no mistake.

Hudson tried his luck from all of 40 yards with Collister miles off his line, but the keeper was never in danger.

Warlow was unlucky to pick up the game’s first booking for a foul on Tait, having seemingly taken the ball in the challenge, and when Tamworth delivered the free-kick the hosts’ defence creaked but held firm.

Another ball into the box had Tigers struggling and only a trailing leg came between Grocott and the leveller after he blasted goalward from 10 yards.

Chris Wood got his body in the way of Christie’s header and it was enough to allow Worsnop to make another good stop with the pressure mounting.

The full-back then made a goal saving block in the 80th minute, and put in a vital challenge on the edge of the area.

Gardner departed with seven left, James Wilson making his home debut and going to left midfield, Warlow dropping to left-back and Wood switching sides.

Wilson allowed Tigers room to breath picking up the ball in his own half and releasing Burbeary who won a corner that Shiels almost connected with on two occasions.

Jackson had another goal disallowed for offside in tense scenes inside the final minutes and Young made a lung-bursting run into the corner to run down another few seconds.

The final whistle sparked wild celebrations both on and off the pitch, and Tigers now await today’s draw to learn their second round opponents.