A second-half Matt Rhead hat-trick inspired a Corby Town comeback against Hednesford Town as they came from two goals down to advance to the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup with Budwiser.

The phrase ‘a game of two halves’ certainly rang true with the Steelmen at Keys Park, as a flat and uninspired performance left them two down at half-time.

But an amazing second forty-five saw Corby score three goals in ten minutes before Matt Rhead struck in stoppage time to seal their place in the next round.

Despite starting the game brightly against their Evo Stick opponents, the Steelmen found themselves a goal down thanks to a controversial penalty in the 20^th minute.

The referee, not particularly popular with either set of fans on the day, pointed to the spot after Corby captain Phil Gulliver was judged to have fouled Gary Hay in the box.

A seemingly soft challenge, even the home fans appeared shocked with the decision, but they were soon celebrating after top-scorer Chris Clements dispatched the penalty with ease.

Corby’s bad luck was to continue in the 35^th minute when left-back Aynsley McDonald was stretched off and taken to hospital with a suspected broken ankle.

Showing no remorse, Hednesford doubled their lead ten minutes later. A quick throw caught the Steelmen defence unawares and left Nick Wellecomme completely unmarked with only Mackenzie to beat. The striker showed composure as he slid the ball past the Corby ‘stopper at his near post.

Needing at least two goals to keep their FA Cup with Budwiser dream alive, Corby dominated the opening stages of the second half and finally began to threaten Dan Crane’s goal.

But it was an error from Hednesford defender Cheyenne Dunkley that gifted the Steelmen with their first goal, his blatant handball gave the referee no choice but to award the second penalty of the game.

Matt Rhead coolly dispatched the resulting spot-kick in the 56^th minute and kicked the Corby Town comeback into motion.

Four minutes later, the Steelmen were level thanks to an exquisite Andy Hall freekick. Standing twenty-five yards out to the left of the Hednesford goal, his set-piece curled into the top left-hand corner and left Crane rooted to the spot.

Cheyenne Dunkley added to Hednesford’s misery in the 63^rd minute when he received a second yellow and trudged off the pitch for an early bath.

The home fans barely had time to digest the sending off before they found their side behind for the first time in the match. Rhead followed a long ball from midfield and put the Hednesford ‘keeper under pressure to catch the cross. Crane fumbled and the Corby striker, whilst lying on the floor, managed to bicycle kick the ball behind into an empty net.

With just one goal separating the two sides, the remainder of the second half was largely in the balance and both outfits had chances to grab the next goal. But a moment of madness from Jamey Osbourne called an end to Hednesford’s chances as he was given his marching orders after pushing Andy Hall over during a break in play.

Matt Rhead sealed their fate in stoppage time when a cleared ball found him all alone in the Pitmen half. With all Hednesford’s players in attack he had only Crane to beat, which he duly obliged with a sharp finish into the bottom right-hand corner.

Hednesford: Crane; Haynes, Monteiro, Dunkley, Shaw; Osborne, Clements, Denny, Campion (sub Quinn, 71 mins); Wellecomme (sub Robinson, 83 mins), Hay (sub Bailey, 64 mins). Subs not used: Gomes, Clarke, Durrell, Danks.

Corby: Mackenzie; Gordon, Gulliver, Malone, McDonald (sub Rogan 35 mins); Hall (sub Ozmen, 90 mins), Hibbert, Towers, Spruce; Rhead, Smith. Subs not used: Land, Ives, Fairlamb, Dossou.

Referee: Simon Bennett.

Goals: Clements pen (20 mins, 1-0), Wellecomme (43 mins, 2-0), Rhead pen (56 mins, 2-1), Hall (60 mins, 2-2), Rhead (66 mins, 2-3), Rhead (90 mins, 2-4).

Attendance: 602

By Kelly Cornwell