The 11 biggest FA Cup first-round upsets as eighth-tier club clinch penalty shocker

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The first round of the oldest football competition in the world takes place this weekend.

The FA Cup is the home of remarkable upsets

Warrington Town v Exeter City - FA Cup First Round — Warrington Town are among the clubs in FA Cup history to defy expectation. (Image: Getty)

The first round of the FA Cup returns today (Friday, November 6). As the oldest national football competition in the world, it has hosted some of the most astonishing results in the sport's history. The opportunity for lower league clubs to host teams several rungs higher up the English football pyramid and, at times, defeat them is the magic of the tournament.

However, the giant-killing in the competition don't just happen to the top-flight clubs. Battles between clubs sitting in the seventh tier of English football and the third tier also make for hugely entertaining viewing and present the opportunity for a massive upset to unfurl. Express Sport compile the 11 biggest upsets in FA Cup first-round history...

Stourbridge celebrating victory against Plymouth — After holding Football League opposition to a pulsating 3–3 draw at Home Park, seventh-tier Stourbridge brought Plymouth back to the War Memorial Ground for a first-round replay. Paul McCone and Sean Geddes found the net to give the Glassboys a 2–0 victory, knocking out an EFL club that had played in the Championship only two seasons prior. (Image: Kevin Quigley/Daily Mail/Shutterstock)

Nuneaton Borough celebrate — Stoke City were high-flying in the third tier and expected to cruise through against Nuneaton Borough. Instead, a resolute defensive performance and a dramatic stoppage-time penalty from Marc McGregor handed the non-league side an iconic 1–0 win at Manor Park. (Image: Getty Images)

9. Salford City 2–0 Notts County (2015–2016)

Salford City players celebrating — With the "Class of '92" owners (Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, and Ryan Giggs) watching from the Moor Lane grass bank, seventh-tier Salford stunned the oldest professional club in the world. Goals from Danny Webber and Richie Allen gave the part-timers a comprehensive 2–0 victory. (Image: PA)

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