If at first you do not succeed, try and try again. And again. Until, at the 78th attempt, you finally make it.
Formed in 1860, Cray Wanderers are one of the oldest football clubs in the world – and the oldest club in London still in existence.
And yet the Wands had never reached the FA Cup first round in their 166-year history.
Until now.
It was perhaps fitting that Cray only just scraped through in the fourth qualifying round against Bedford Town in dramatic fashion to achieve something they have tried and failed to do 77 times before.
Following a 0-0 draw on 17 October away at Bedford, it was back to Flamingo Park for a replay three days later.
The game ended 1-1 after 90 minutes and went to extra time.
Bedford then took the lead in the 101st minute, only for Cray striker Ade Yusuff – who has scored in all four rounds so far – to make it 2-2 and force a penalty shootout.
Wands goalkeeper JJ Briggs, who is on loan from Cambridge United, made two saves in the shootout to help pave the way for history to be made in Chislehurst.
When teenager Jakob Lowe stuck away his effort from 12 yards to seal a 4-3 win on penalties, the scale of the moment was not lost on club captain Frankie Raymond.
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