CONCORD Rangers have equalled their best ever run in the FA Cup after beating St Ives Town 4-3 at the Aspect Arena.

The Beachboys will now be in the hat for the third qualifying round draw today. And boss Danny Cowley is already dreaming of reaching the first round proper.

“We’ve already equalled our best ever run and it would be great to go on even further now, and obviously reaching the first round proper would be fantastic,” said Cowley.

“We still have a couple of rounds to go before we get to that stage but it would be brilliant if we were able to get a match against Southend United for a local derby or against Wolves who are probably the biggest team in the competition at that stage.

“But we’re not really looking that far ahead and we’re just hoping we get a good draw in the next round now.”

Concord made hard work of seeing off St Ives Town despite racing in to a two-goal lead inside the opening 17 minutes. The Canvey-based club took the lead when Gary Ogilvie volleyed home and their advantage was doubled when Steve Cawley netted with a composed finish.

Ogilvie wasted a great chance to make it 3-0 and St Ives made the miss increase in significance when Dubi Ogbonna hit the back of the net in the 22nd minute.

Six minutes later, Sam Higgins rounded visiting goalkeeper Nick Benninon to score.

Ogbonna again brought the visitors back into the game with a neat 25-yard finish but his side suffered a huge blow at the start of the second half when skipper Jimmy Dean was sent off after being shown a second yellow card.

Concord made the most of their extra man when Cawley netted in the 50th minute to make it 4-2. But St Ives were still not finished and netted six minutes from time when Cobb fired home to set up a nervy last few minutes.

And Cowley thought his team should have secured a more comfortable win.

“It was a good match for the neutral to watch, but not a manager,” said Cowley. “We didn’t quite get it right but we won the game to get through to the next round and that all that matters.”