Two goals in extra time where enough to see Corby finally triumph over Histon and advanced to the next stage of the FA Cup with Budwiser on a drizzly night at Steel Park.

Free-scoring defender Paul Malone had initially given Corby a first half lead, but the Steelmen soon felt a sense of déjà vu when Lewis Taaffe drew Histon level in the 56^th minute.

It was the third time in three games that Corby had taken the lead against the Cambridgeshire side, only to be pegged back in the second half.

But Malone broke the habit and resorted Corby’s lead with his second of the game in the 94^th minute, whilst Matt Rhead made sure of the win by converting his spot-kick shortly afterwards.

Reminiscent of the previous encounters, both sides were presented with glorious opportunities to stroll away with a win in normal time, but neither outfit could make the chances stick.

Histon should have had the lead in the opening ten minutes after Leon Hibbert was caught napping in possession on the edge of his own box. His hesitancy left Jordan Sparkes one-on-one with Chris Mackenzie, but the forward’s shot was weak and easily saved by the Steelmen stopper.

The away side dominated proceedings early on at Steel Park and things seemed to get worse for the Steelmen when player/coach Andy Burgess had to be substituted due to injury just fifteen minutes into the game.

Despite the early forced change in personnel, it was Corby who took the lead in the 22^nd minute. Jordan Spruce’s hanging corner floated towards the unmarked Malone, who smashed the ball into the top right-hand corner.

The defender’s goal signalled the end to goal-mouth action in the first half, as the rest of the match was spent being tussled in midfield.

Histon forward Dan Holman should have equalised straight away in the second half, having been put through by Jordan Sparkes. He didn’t have time to rue his missed opportunity long though, as Lewis Taaffe had the ball in Corby’s net just two minutes later.

A high ball from midfield caught the Steelmen defence unawares and left Taaffe one-on-one with Mackenzie. Unlike his team-mates before him, the Stutes striker kept his composure and slotted the ball down past Mackenzie’s sprawling right hand.

Sparkes almost doubled Histon’s advantage minutes later, a burst of pace from central midfield left him with space on the edge of the box. His driven shot looked destined for the top right-hand corner, but Mackenzie majestically palmed his shot away with one hand to keep the scores level.

Steelmen substitute Sam Ives thought he had given Corby the lead in the 70^th minute, but his shot hit the side netting. Matt Rhead should have scored in the closing minutes of normal time, but he fired well wide from six yards after some good work from Andy Hall.

Histon’s Holman was gifted an opening just seconds later, after an error from Tom Land left him with just Mackenzie to beat. He could only watch in horror however, as his attempted chip flushed wide past the left-hand post and saw the game stretch into extra time.

As the rain began to swirl around Steel Park, Corby took to the field revitalized and rejuvenated. Histon left defender Paul Malone unmarked in the 94^th minute to their peril. His powerful header on the edge of the six-yard box left Stadelmann with no chance and regained Corby’s first-half advantage.

Matt Rhead put the tie firmly out of Histon’s grasp in the 111^th minute, coolly converting a penalty low down to Stadelmann’s right after Ozmen was fouled in the box.

The victory sees Corby progress to face Hednesford in the FA Cup with Budwiser 3^rd Qualifying Round on Saturday 15^th October.

Corby: Mackenzie, Gordon, Spruce (Ozmen, 109), Malone, Gulliver, Hibbert, Hall, Towers, Rhead, Smith (Ives, 60), Burgess (Land, 20). 

Subs not used: Drury , G Smith.

Histon: Stadelmann, Cleaver, Hawkins, Dowie (Libertucci, 101), Mills, Fitzsimmons, Taaffe (Day, 101), Stevenson, Holman, Breeze, Sparkes.

Subs not used: MacDonald, Roberts, Asensi, Sessions, Kitscha.

Referee: Richard Kendall

Goals: Malone (23), Taaffe (56), Malone (94), Rhead (111).

Attendance: 642.