Liam Smith dipped into his toolbox to fix a broken floodlight – then helped his teammates pull off a huge cup upset.

Smith, who works as an electrician in the day, used his trade skills to help Isthmian League side Sittingbourne FC reach the FA Trophy fifth round for the first time in the club’s 140-year history.

With Saturday’s game against Salisbury deadlocked at 0-0, Sittingbourne’s Staxson Stadium in Kent was suddenly plunged into darkness during the half-time interval.

Fans and players were left concerned that the game would not be able to continue, until Smith came to the rescue.

Recalling the incident to Hawksbee and Baker on talkSPORT, he said: “The funny thing is, the boys were taking the mickey out of me saying ‘can’t you fix it’.”

But the defender and full-time sparky was only too happy to help, ensuring the crowd of 700 spectators could enjoy the second half.

It wasn’t the first time Smith had been forced to show off his trade skills with the same issue having occurred in the previous week’s clash against Eastbourne.

Asked what caused the floodlight malfunction, Smith revealed: “Some of the breakers for the power had switched off, so it wasn’t much of a hard fix.

“I just had to flip it back on and fingers crossed nothing blew up. Luckily nobody got electrocuted and it was all fine.”

For some his work brought back memories of England and Nottingham Forest legend Stuart Pearce who was also an electrician by trade.

When he was signed in 1985 by Brian Clough he was still uncertain about his future and ensured he always had work by advertising his services in the club match programme.

The defender did admit that despite his heroics he was subjected to some ribbing from the away support. However, it was all worth it in the end as he had the last laugh.

He added: “I did get a bit of stick from their fans who said I was better off being a sparky!” 

But as any tradesman will explain, time is money and Smith says he has already billed the club’s chairman.

“I’ve sent in an invoice and told him it’s double [pay] on a Saturday,” he joked.

“He laughed at me so I’m going to send in a second one soon.”

Sittingbourne’s reward for their giant-killing heroics is a fifth-round tie at Southend United early next month.

Smith and co will again be underdogs for the clash but the defender says his side will show no fear against their National League opponents.

“We beat Salisbury who are two leagues higher than us,” he said. “It was a very important game for us and was the furthest the club has ever gone [in the competition].

“We’re really looking forward to it and it’s going to be a really big game for us. As the older players have said, you’ve got to enjoy these moments but at the same time we’re not going there just to take part.”

And if they need a sparky they don’t have to look far.

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