IRLAM FC bowed out of the famous competition, a 2nd round qualifying 2-1 defeat away at Gateshead side Dunston UTS would prove to be the furthest the Club has ever progressed in the FA Cup. The side got to this stage the hard way, every game in the earlier rounds drawn away from home, but notable victories against Winsford, Prescot Cables and Runcorn Town would prove to be the the catalyst for a fourth away trip, this time a trip to the North East to face Northern League side Dunston UTS.

Early stages of the game saw both teams settle quickly into a high tempo game, attacks and counter attacks quickly tidied up at both ends, with no early threats to mention.
An early Irlam corner from Morrison was cleared away at the near post, whilst at the other end Liam Marrs would fire over the Irlam goal from a free kick.
The game would stop on 15 mins due to an injury to Dunston's Michael Hall, the midfielder carried off for what would later be diagnosed as ankle ligament damage.
After the stoppage, Dunston would quickly find themselves unexpectedly in front, Irlam keeper Lee White's attempted early kick out bizarrely striking the back of Irlam centre half Ryan Ledson before deflecting back into the path of Dunston winger Liam Brooks, the no11 firing home an absolute gift of a goal to open the scoring.
On 25 minutes, the home side would double their lead, a chance from nothing as Fitzpatrick managed to free himself from Irlam fullback Griffiths in the corner to fire low across the Irlam goal, the ball evading everyone except Brooks, the Dunston 11 again on hand to find his second goal of the game, a tap in at the far post.
Despite the goals, the game somehow still seemed an even affair , and almost immediately from the restart that would be confirmed as Matty Boland curled an exquisite free kick over the Dunston defensive wall and past the stranded Dryden in the Dunston goal to restore some calm to the proceedings as Irlam looked for a way back into the game.
The final action of the half could have provided the home team with a third goal as Liam Marrs rattled the Irlam post from a full 25 yards, Irlam keeper White relieved to see the ball rebound away to safety as the first period came to an end.
HT Dunston UTS 2 Irlam FC 1
The second period was a mixed affair as Irlam looked for a way back into the game. The home side were strong in possession throughout the half, certainly matching Irlam's fitness man for man, but it would be Irlam who time and time again would gain free kicks and corners, nearly all lifted into the Dunston area but frustratingly dealt with well by an excellent home defence.
Half a chance fell to Irlam striker Buckley, the no9 finally breaking free of the close attention paid to him all afternoon to spin and shoot just wide of the Dunston goal, whilst soon after Irlam centre half Ryan Ledson would head just over the Dunston goal from a Morrison corner. Irlam were certainly creating chances in the game, although the home side would have more possession, moving up the pitch well, giving Irlam limited chances to change the game. As the game entered its final phase, with Irlam's chances coming to nothing, the game looked to be out of reach as the home side were awarded a 90th minute penalty. Fitzpatrick elected to take the penalty, but the Dunston no 9's decision to fire his shot down the middle was well read by White, the Irlam goalkeeper pulling off a stunning one handed save to draw applause from all around the ground.
Five minutes of injury time saw Irlam again lift the ball into the Dunston area, but the home side would hold firm, the final whistle coming too soon for Irlam as they bowed out of the FA Cup at the furthest point they have ever progressed to.