Minnows Harborough exit FA Cup with extra-time loss at Reading

Non-league Harborough bowed out of the FA Cup after a gutsy display in their 5-3 second-round extra-time defeat at League One Reading.

Town, of the Southern League Premier Division Central, led 2-1 at half-time after a burst of three goals in as many minutes.

Freddie Robinson nodded home at the far post from a Josh Walsh corner to give Harborough a shock lead, but Mamadi Camara soon levelled by forcing the ball home after a scramble in the Bees area.

Harborough restored their advantage almost straight away after the Royals’ defence again fell asleep, with Riley O’Sullivan given acres of space to fire home a low drive.

Charlie Savage curled in a 20-yard effort in the 59th minute before Adrian Akande gave Reading the lead six minutes later when he slotted in from close range.

But the hosts had to try to survive the final 15 minutes with only 10 men after defender Abraham Kanu had been sent off for a second yellow card.

They were unable to do that, with Town substitute Kai Tonge stabbing home to make it 3-3 in the 86th minute and force extra-time.

Chem Campbell then struck twice early on in the additional period, both times cutting in from the left to beat keeper Elliott Taylor, to ease Reading’s passage into round three.