THE magic of the FA Cup was as thin on the ground as the Crawley support but thanks to one swing of the wand that is Louie Soares’ right foot, Aldershot are into the first round proper of the FA Cup.

The Shots were a long way from their best but they did enough — just — to see off Crawley in this fourth qualifying round replay and set up a tough trip to Cambridge United, who beat Stafford Rangers 5-1 in their own replay, also on Tuesday evening.

There was more good news for the Shots with the return of striker John Grant from tendonitis, on as a substitute for the last 15 minutes.

The Shots had to play the last two minutes, plus injury time, with ten men, after Lewis Chalmers was sent off for a second bookable offence.

But it was the dismissal of Aldershot assistant manager Martin Kuhl, sent to the stands after a clash with his Crawley counterpart Paul Raynor on the stroke of half-time that was far more dramatic.

When both Rob Gier, who had already been booked, and Crawley’s James Krause slid in from distance to a 50-50 ball, Crawley boss Steve Evans and Raynor were incensced and were quick to suggest that Gier be sent off for a dangerous tackle.

Kuhl defended his man and, under the nose of the fourth official, appeared to make contact with Raynor and was sent to the stands.

Evans wanted to talk of little else other than the Kuhl incident after the match. "He [Kuhl] has punched my assistant," claimed Evans. "It was an absolutely disgraceful act."

The FA confirmed on Wednesday that the incident had been included in both the referee and the fourth official’s match report and was under investigation.

Shots boss Gary Waddock took a leaf out of the Arsene Wenger school of management by saying: "I didn’t see the incident. But I’m told nothing really went on."

Back on the pitch, Crawley's Guy Madjo twice struck excellent shots just wide from distance, with Nikki Bull beaten.

The Shots became more threatening after the half hour. First Jonny Dixon put Soares through but while his dinked shot beat Crawley ‘keeper Ashley Bayes it also cleared the bar.

Danny Hylton, given a start by Waddock ahead of the rested Rob Elvins, enjoyed a good end to the half. Soon after one impressive run he floated over a tantilising cross which a freshly shaven-headed Ben Harding was inches away from heading home.

Harding also came close with a header back across goal from a Gier cross but it bounced just wide of the post, with Bayes beaten.

Just as on Saturday, the Shots scored early in the second half.

This time it was Hylton who was the creator, showing good strength and touch to feed Soares. There was plenty of work for the winger left to do but he jinked and made space and thumped a shot across Bayes and into the far corner.

For much of the last half hour Aldershot were forced to defend, with Evans changing his formation to 3-4-3 and throwing on Jon-Paul Pittman to join Madjo and Pierre Joseph-Dubois up front, in a desperate attempt to stay in the cup.

Waddock withdrew Gier, bringing on Kirk Hudson, and moving Soares back to right back, where he did an excellent job, superbly blocking a Madjo effort after a mistake by Ricky Newman.

On 69 minutes Pittman missed a wonderful chance to equalise. He beat the offside trap and went round Bull but somehow mis-kicked in trying to turn the ball home from a narrow angle.

Five minutes later, Dubois stayed on his feet when his shirt was pulled in the area and forced Bull into an excellent save. From the resulting corner Madjo had a close-range effort deflected just over the bar.

By then Chalmers had been harshly booked for taking a free-kick too quickly. Committed as ever, he continued to make a series of thumping tackles but was finally sent off for an ill-judged lunge deep in the Crawley half.

The ten men had just the one scare in injury time, when Crawley captain Tyrone Thompson volleyed over the bar.

For a full match report and more from Gary Waddock, see Friday's Aldershot News.