NORTHWICH Victoria notched the most famous win in their history by inflicting upon Charlton Athletic their most ignominious.

The Addicks, never before beaten by non-league opposition, crashed out of the FA Cup after Wayne Riley scored the winning goal eight minutes from time.

This defeat, as deserved as it was unexpected, will be etched on their conscience for some time.

For Vics, there has not been a sweeter moment.

Only Leeds United were ranked higher than the men from the Valley when the first round draw was made, but it did not daunt Andy Preece’s men.

They dominated in every conceivable way from the outset.

“We said at half time that all we were missing was a goal,” he said.

“They only had one shot. All the pressure was ours.”

He was right.

Charlton thanked stand-in keeper Darren Randolph that they had a contest to be part of after the interval.

His saves, first tipping over Mat Bailey’s header from Lee Elam’s corner then clawing Michael Connor’s nodded effort out of the bottom corner after Vics’ towering central defender had flicked on Ian Herring’s long throw, were brilliant.

The League One promotion hopefuls had luck too, particularly during a madcap goalmouth scramble on 27 minutes after they failed to clear a corner.

Vics’ aerial threat, be it from Elam’s flag kicks or Herring’s trademark long throws, was too much for them to handle.

That they persisted in conceding one or the other throughout will not have lightened manager Phil Parkinson’s mood.

His footnote in Charlton’s 104-year history is not one to crow about.

Vics reached the break ahead in every column except the one that mattered.

Bailey gave an indication of what was to follow, flicking Herring’s first lobbed assist goalwards in the sixth minute but no teammate was on hand to apply the finishing touch.

Charlton did not test Curtis Aspden, in Vics’ goal at the other end, once.

Jonjo Shelvey’s drive at least dirtied his gloves at the start of the second period, but the Addicks’ expected response never gathered momentum.

Northwich remained resolute.

Top scorer Deon Burton came off the bench for Charlton and seemed certain to score with his first rouch, but Herring stretched out a leg far enough to make a miraculous block.

Riley had been on the pitch for just five minutes when he poked Connor’s lofted throughball through Randolph’s legs with an assured finish.

“I don’t remember anything,” he said afterwards.

“I just saw the ball, ran on to it and scored.”

Cue mayhem on and off the pitch.

Bailey then finally beat Randolph after meeting Ryan Brown’s free kick with another firm header, only this time for Sam Sodje – the sole visiting player to emerge with any credit – to clear off the line.

Had it hit the net Vics would have robbed nothing.

Lincoln, due at the Victoria Stadium in the next round, will feel uneasy tonight.

Star Man Ian Herring. Wayne Riley will rightly grab the headlines for his goal, but Herring’s block to smother Deon Burton’s shot was as much a matchwinner. His highlight was buttressed by a commanding performance in the centre of the pitch, combining strength in the tackle with discrete use of the ball. All that, plus of course the long throws.

Vics Aspden (GK) Aspin, Kerr, Bailey, Brown, Connor, Herring, D’Laryea, Elam (Riley 76), Allan (Winter 87), Newby (Edwards 90). Subs not used Spencer (GK), Vaughan, Edwards, Cadwallader, Richards. Goal Riley 82. Booked Connor (foul), Allan (dissent), Riley (kicking the ball away).

Charlton Randolph (GK), Omozusi, Dailly, Sodje, Youga, Sam, Racon, Semedo (Wagstaff 85), Bailey, Shelvey (Burton 68), McLeod (McKenzie 68). Subs not used Binks (GK), Spring, Llera, Basey. Booked Semedo (foul)

Referee David Webb (County Durham)
Attendance 2, 153