FA Cup: Non-league teams who have progressed the furthest

The FA Cup is famed for non-league clubs embarking on sensational runs in the competition and we've looked at the teams from the fifth tier or below who have progressed the furthest.

Lincoln City - Quarter-finals (2016/17)

Lincoln City remain the only non-league side to have reached the quarter-finals in the FA Cup's current format.

In a truly remarkable campaign which saw the Imps claim the National League title, Danny Cowley's men entered the FA Cup in the fourth qualifying round and required a replay to eliminate Guiseley.

Lincoln then conquered Altrincham and Oldham Athletic to secure their passage to the third round, where a tie away at Championship outfit Ipswich Town awaited them.

A late equaliser from Tom Lawrence denied Lincoln a famous victory at Portman Road but Nathan Arnold was on hand with a stoppage-time winner in the replay to send the Imps into the fourth round.

Another Championship side stood in their path, except on this occasion it was high-flying Brighton, who at the time were battling Newcastle United for the title. Trailing at the half-time interval, Lincoln stunned the Seagulls with three second half goals and their reward was a clash with Burnley of the Premier League.

Very few had given Cowley's side a chance at Turf Moor but Lincoln had one more giant killing up their sleeve. With full-time looming and the deadlock yet to be broken, Sean Raggett rose above the Burnley defence and directed a header beyond Tom Heaton to send the travelling 3,210 Lincoln supporters into raptures.

Handed a dream quarter-final tie at the Emirates to face Arsenal, Lincoln's sensational cup run come to a somewhat unceremonious end as Arsene Wenger's team ran out comfortable 5-0 winners.

Prior to the competition's restructure ahead of the 1925/26 season, QPR of the fourth tier Southern League had reached the last eight in 1913/14, though they only won three matches to secure their quarter-final berth.

Non-league teams to reach the fifth round

A total of eight non-league teams have reached the fifth round of the FA Cup since 1950.

• Maidstone United (2023/24) - National League South (Tier 6)
• Boreham Wood (2021/22) - National League (Tier 5)
• Sutton United (2016/17) - National League (Tier 5)
• Luton Town (2012/13) - Conference Premier (Tier 5)
• Crawley Town (2010/11) - Conference Premier (Tier 5)
• Kidderminster Harriers (1993/94) - Football Conference (Tier 5)
• Telford United (1984/85) - Alliance Premier League (Tier 5)
• Blyth Spartans (1977/78) - Northern League (Tier 5)

Jaquob Crooke

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