In a game played at Steyning Town's ground, Lingfield took the lead with their first real chance of the game as Reese Cartwright made no mistake in turning home Reece Jacobs' cut back in the 21st minute.
The Green Lions had a golden chance to equalise before the interval, but home goalkeeper Jack Webb-Olley redeemed himself for bringing down Charlton Gauvain in the penalty area by diving to his left to save Ross Allen's spot kick.
However, GFC did get back on level terms early in the second half when Frazer Maginnis finished on the turn after Brandon Wallace's blocked shot had fallen to him. It was his first goal for the club.
Webb-Olley then made a brilliant save to deny Sam Murray, who also put another good chance wide, before Lingfield scored their winner with quarter-of-an-hour remaining.
The result leaves the Green Lions sitting eighth in the SCFL Premier with at least one game in hand on all of the sides above them.
Tony Vance’s FA Vase wish has come true, meanwhile – at least at first glance.
Following Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Croydon in the Isuzu FA Vase second qualifying round, the Guernsey FC manager expressed his hope of a favourable draw in the first round proper and yesterday the Green Lions were granted a home tie against another Step 6 side as they will host Staplehurst Monarchs at Victoria Park next month.
The Kent-based outfit play in the same Southern Counties East League First Division as Croydon and currently sit sixth in the table, two places above Croydon, having won half of their eight fixtures so far. They finished ninth last season.
However, Monarchs did pull off an upset in the second qualifying round at the weekend as they won 2-0 at home against Step 5 club Shoreham, who playing alongside GFC in the Southern Combination Premier Division.
The 105 first-round ties will be played on the weekend of Saturday 18 October. GFC will announce more details about their match once they have been confirmed with the opposition.
The sides who make it through the first round will be seven games, including a two-legged semi-final, from reaching the final at Wembley.
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