Harrogate Town Beat Bury 3-1 to Reach FA Cup Next Stage

Harrogate Town defeated Bury FC 3-1 at CNG Stadium in their FA Cup qualifying replay on October 21, 2026, scoring twice in the closing minutes to secure victory. The result ended Bury's attempt to reach the competition's first round proper for the first time since the club's expulsion from the English Football League in 2019.

According to the match report published by baonghean.vn, Harrogate took the lead in the 12th minute and controlled much of the contest. Bury equalized in the 68th minute, but Harrogate restored its advantage in the 88th minute before adding a third goal in the 90th minute.

Match statistics in the report showed Harrogate finishing with 58% possession and 19 shots to Bury's six. Both teams recorded five shots on target, indicating that Bury remained capable of threatening despite the home side's greater overall attacking volume.

The victory followed an earlier 1-1 draw at Bury's Gigg Lane ground, where approximately 5,000 supporters attended the original tie, according to BBC reporting published October 17. The large crowd reflected the club's continued recovery after its financial collapse and subsequent reformation in 2023.

Bury forward and midfield players had progressed through qualifying victories against Wythenshawe, Workington and Bromsgrove Sporting before facing Harrogate. Manager Anthony Johnson viewed the original fixture as a test of his Northern Premier League side against a team operating at a higher level.

Johnson described the challenge to The Bury Times before the initial match.

"It is going to be as tough of a test as you can get. When the draw was made, I looked at what was the hardest possible tie we could have. We couldn't get Boreham Wood, who are top of the National League, so to get Harrogate Town, it doesn't get any tougher.

Top end of the National League are going to be better than the bottom end of League Two, it is just how it works. So it doesn't get any tougher; full time and they have just come out of the Football League. It is a really good test for us."

Johnson said.

The manager also emphasized the value of measuring his team's progress against a full-time professional opponent, noting that Bury did not consider itself a full-time club.

"We don't consider ourselves a full time side but it gives us the opportunity to test ourselves and showcase ourselves to see how far we are, or how close we are, to sides like that. It is going to be a really good occasion for the football club, brilliant for the supporters but from our point of view, it allows us to see how close we can get to a full time, professional outfit." Johnson said.

Johnson believed the televised occasion would demonstrate the progress Bury had made since its collapse.

"The fact it is on the TV and people get to see it proves Bury is on its way back, it's as simple as that," Johnson said.

He also pointed to the club's performances at Gigg Lane, although he acknowledged that games in hand affected the league table.

"You only have to look at the results, especially at Gigg Lane, this season. I know the league table is a little bit false at the moment because of the games in hand we have got on sides. But it showcases our ability as a football club and how we can hold certain events, and as a football team to show how good we can be.

It is exciting for the club, the team and the town." Johnson added.

Supporters attending the original match described the crowd and renewed community interest as important signs of Bury's recovery. Katie Maken, 18, who joined fans at the Staff of Life pub before kickoff, highlighted the return of supporters who had been absent for years.

"This means everything to the club - the fans coming back who we've not seen for years," Maken said.

Mike Hamilton, 77, said the attendance exceeded the club's usual crowd and underlined the importance of the cup tie.

"It was a massive match for us. Today we've got 5,000 here. We get three-and-a-half normally, less for an FA Cup game, but it's a big one.

It's crowded." Hamilton said.

Phil Lockett, 54, highlighted the economic and emotional impact of the club's return.

"It's great for the local town, great for Bury, brings a bit of money in. It was terrible when the club disbanded, like we lost a leg." Lockett said.

Chris Helling, 56, described the club's role in bringing local people together and expressed hope for future success.

"It brings everybody together. We need to win another FA Cup." Helling said.

Family members of Bury midfielder Leo Graham also attended the original match. His mother, Tracy Graham, 57, expressed hope that he would score but prioritized the team's result.

"We hope he'll get a goal but we just want our boys to win." Tracy said.

Leo's aunt, Lisa Hannaghan, 54, said the family regularly attended matches and praised the atmosphere around the club.

"We are here every week, it's just amazing the fans are great and Leo loves it." Hannaghan said.

Bury was expelled from the English Football League in 2019 after severe financial difficulties and the collapse of a takeover bid from C&N Sporting Risk. The club was reformed in 2023, and its FA Cup campaign offered an opportunity to demonstrate its progress before the defeat to Harrogate ended its run.