A free kick from substitute Luca Navarro deep into added time was enough to topple Solihull on their own turf, as Bernard and Jonno’s side claimed a big win in the West Midlands to advance to the Fourth Round of the competition.

Despite starting brightly in the opening exchanges, Radcliffe would find themselves behind. Minutes after Hancock struck the inside of the post from range, Solihull worked the ball expertly down the right wing before Matt Warburton cut the ball back for Kian Ryley to slide into the far corner of the net.

After conceding the opening goal of the game, Radcliffe responded well and continued to build on their impressive start against higher-league opposition. The first of many chances followed, as Josh Hancock dispossessed a Solihull defender inside his own box before laying it to Anthony Dudley in acres of space to pick his spot, the forward struck straight at Laurie Walker who palmed wide to keep his clean sheet intact for the time being.

Moments later, the Boro created another glorious opportunity when Tunde Owolabi teed up Dudley, once again failing to convert with a high shot over the crossbar.

A rare warning sign followed as Solihull broke down the left flank with Joe Newton leading the charge, before playing an inch-perfect pass to Francis-Burrell on the opposite channel who fired narrowly wide from distance.

After one-way traffic from the Boro resumed, the next big chance fell their way once more. A sublime cross from the left by Dudley was backheeled towards goal with an unorthodox attempt from Brad Jackson, but it was comfortably met by Walker.

With 36 minutes on the clock, a pass back to Mateusz Hewelt by Lois Maynard was held up in the wind before Radcliffe’s number one could pick up possession, instead allowing Ryley to collect the ball. Fortunately, Duxbury got back brilliantly to block any oncoming danger inside the box.

Just minutes before it looked like Solihull would go into the break with an arguably undeserved lead, Duxbury restored parity in stunning fashion. The defender tried his luck from 30 yards out and his effort thumped off the underside of the crossbar and into the back of the net, levelling the terms with all to play for after the interval.

In the second half, Bernard and Jonno’s men would have to contend with the unrelenting wind which played into their hands in the opening 45 minutes, the hosts did deal with the conditions relatively well however, to their credit.

After a fast start in the first half, many hoped for a similar outcome but it took almost twenty minutes for the first real chance for either team to go in front, after the introduction of Rick Smith in a change of shape for the Boro.

This opportunity went the way of Solihull via a corner from the right-hand side, John Bostock’s delivery from the short set piece was tipped onto the top of the crossbar by Hewelt who was alert to the danger, taking no risks by beating the ball away.

It was a second half of very few chances for both outfits, and substitutes were made from both camps in an attempt to bring new energy and tip the tie in their favour, but no impact would ultimately be made by a new arrival to the field until the 92nd minute, when Luca Navarro netted his first goal of the campaign.

After collecting the ball on the left flank, Navarro carried possession into a good area, dancing past multiple yellow shirts before being clipped around 20 yards from goal, and resting the responsibility on his shoulders from the resulting set piece.

As Damson Park held its breath, Navarro lined up his free kick which proved to be too troublesome for Walker, who could only fumble the shot into the back of his own net, despite the save looking easy to make in the dying embers.

Radcliffe continued to defend resolutely deep into stoppage time, before the referee blew his full-time whistle to confirm our place in the Fourth Round of the FA Trophy for the second year running.

The Boro return to familiar turf next weekend as we welcome Kidderminster Harriers to the Neuven Stadium. Buy your tickets online here!