FOR Bury Town and its fans, it was a dream come true. And for Leiston's legion of supporters, they are very much still in the hunt for a slice of FA Cup glory.

Stuart Watson

FOR Bury Town and its fans, it was a dream come true. And for Leiston's legion of supporters, they are very much still in the hunt for a slice of FA Cup glory.

The former enjoyed a stunning 4-1 victory over Basingstoke Town on Saturday to reach the first round proper of the world's most famous domestic cup competition.

All eyes will now be on Leiston tomorrow night, when they will travel to East Sussex side Lewes to see whether they can match the feat.

The Suffolk side - the lowest ranked club remaining in the competition - secured an unlikely replay when the teams drew 1-1 on Saturday.

Fans of both Suffolk teams tuned in for yesterday's televised draw in the hope of a potentially big FA Cup tie against the likes of Leeds United, Leicester or Colchester.

But amid the oohs and aahs among the supporters who had packed into Bury's clubhouse, there was an element of deflation as their giantkilling was rewarded with a 290-mile round trip to play Alfreton Town.

Fans scratched their heads over what league their opponents were in - some even wondered where Alfreton was.

But the lack of a potential £150,000 first round tie, and the prospect of a journey to Derbyshire, could not deflect from one of the best achievements in the club's history.

Robert Nash, who has supported Bury for 20 years, summed it up by saying: “Saturday was a dream come true. I thought we could win but I still can't believe how it happened and how we played. It was even better than my honeymoon.”

Just 24 hours earlier, 1,100 fans packed into the Ram Meadow crowd to watch the side make a mockery of the two leagues between Bury and Basingstoke with a comprehensive victory.

Cheryl Dorling , who lives in the town, had shunned the household names and more illustrious sides to support Bury for more than 40 years.

Before the big match, she confidently predicted her side would win adding: “I have been coming to Bury since I was six years old. I love the whole set-up and it is nice to mix with other fans. There is a great atmosphere and I see the same faces most weeks. I am Bury through-and-through.”

A delighted Mrs Dorling after the match described the game as “like magic”. She added: “They all played their hearts out and did everyone proud. I will definitely be going to the first round, wherever it is - you try and pull me away.”`

Simon Milton, former Ipswich Town midfielder who played for Bury Town in the mid-1980s when they last reached the fourth qualifying round, was among a 1,100-strong crowd at Ram Meadow with another ex-Blue, James Scowcroft, who was brought up in nearby Stanton.

Speaking before the match, Milton said: “If Bury manage to get the right result today, everybody in the town will be looking for that draw. Regardless, today's match could be an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for all the players.”

Meanwhile, Leiston will have another home draw in the first round if they can progress through their replay at Lewes tomorrow night.

Like Bury, the Ridgeons League Premier Division side did not get the lucrative away draw they would have liked - however, a potential home match against bottom-half Blue Square North side Fleetwood Town looks very winnable.

Leiston chairman Andy Crisp said: “I think all of the non-league clubs would have liked an away draw at Leeds or Leicester, but from a positive point of view we feel we have a game we could win.

“Fleetwood are a league lower than Lewes and are not in the best vein of form according to the statistics. With a home draw we feel we could stand a good chance, but we have got a lot of hard work to do in the replay first.

“Saturday was a marvellous day for the club and everyone in the community. We are now hoping that we can get through on Tuesday so that everyone can try and live the dream all over again in the next round.”

Victory Road was packed out with a record 847 fans on Saturday - almost double their previous best - and it is now hoped many of their new found fans will travel to the replay tomorrow. The club is organising at least two coaches to leave from Victory Road at 3.30pm tomorrow and places are filling fast. To book your place, please call Andy Dunn on 01728 635602.