How Kidderminster Harriers went close to biggest FA Cup shock against West Ham

Kidderminster Harriers players were left devastated after being denied perhaps the greatest FA Cup shock ever by a late West Ham goal — twice.

The 151-year history of the FA Cup is filled with stories of famous giant-killings — Ronnie Radford's goal for Hereford against Newcastle, Wrexham beating Arsenal, Lincoln beating Burnley and so on.

But never, never, never have a team from the sixth tier beat a team from the top flight. That was what was on the line as West Ham broke Kidderminster hearts.

Chelsea's comeback to beat Plymouth in extra time seemed tame in comparison.

Kidderminster v West Ham had all the elements.

Alex Penny scored the opening goal after West Ham's keeper flapped at a cross. Four years ago, Penny was at Jamie Vardy's academy for non-league players looking to make it professional.

Aggborough Stadium erupted.

At half-time, former England captain Alan Shearer said: «They have been brilliant from the start, they went after West Ham from the start.

»They closed them down, they pressed — if you had never watched a football match before, you'd never know the difference between these teams in terms of leagues and where they are."

There were saves and last-ditch tackles as Kidderminster hung on — creating chances of their own too. There was even an embarrassing dive from Andriy Yarmolenko late on as West Ham desperately tried to save themselves from the greatest giant-killing ever against a team 112 places below them.

«With two minutes to go, I was believing it and then a minute later...» said Harriers boss Russell Penn, who had been writing a pre-game diary for the BBC.

In the first minute of stoppage time, England international Declan Rice, a man who could potentially cost £100m one day, cut inside and hammered into