Ajay Leitch-Smith scored a second-half brace to help Port Vale come from behind to make the FA Cup second round with a 3-1 win at non-league Maidenhead United.
Robert Page's League One side were struggling when Alan Massey fired home 15 minutes in but just as Maidenhead were dreaming of a first appearance in round two in 129 years, Port Vale took control with Michael O'Connor equalising before Leitch-Smith won the game in the second period.
The hosts took the game to Vale in the first half with captain Massey giving them a deserved lead from the edge of the area after Jak Alnwick had saved Dave Tarpey's shot.
But Page's men soaked up the early pressure and were back on level terms on 35 minutes courtesy of O'Connor's header from Sam Foley's cross.
Carl Pentney made several fine stops to keep Maidenhead in it but it was ex-Yeovil and Crewe striker Leitch-Smith who sent Vale to victory in the second half.
He bundled home in the 49th minute after Maidenhead had failed to clear O'Connor's cross and then secured a trip to League Two Exeter City with a cool header from Foley's knock down eight minutes later.
Source: PA
