Jones insists promotion remains his primary goal but accepts league targets have taken a back seat while another famous Cup run gathers momentum.

Jones said: “Our main focus is promotion but we have to try to win every game and I cannot do anything about the euphoria of the FA Cup.

“We had a gameplan and we put it into execution and we have beaten a very, very good side.”

Telford took only 75 seconds to take the lead when Mills glanced home Fitzroy Simpson’s corner.

Crewe came back strongly and dominated much of the game but could not find a way through the Shropshire side’s defence.

Crewe boss Dario Gradi said: “Of course it is disappointing but we always knew that it might happen.”

Accrington Stanley and Scarborough each came within inches of joining Conference rivals Telford in round four.

Stanley midfielder Paul Cook saw his stoppage-time shot saved brilliantly by goalkeeper Simon Brown as Second Division Colchester clung on for another chance in a goalless draw.

Lutel James also hit the crossbar for the home side and Stanley boss John Coleman admitted: “The lads are bitterly disappointed. They had their chances to win the game but it wasn’t to be.”

Scarborough hit back from a goal behind at Southend with Scott Kerr grabbing a replay with his equaliser 16 minutes from time.

Ashley Sestanovich came agonisingly close to winning it for Boro in the dying seconds and Southend boss Steve Tilson paid tribute to the non-league side.

Tilson said: “We did not perform as well as we could but I don’t want to take anything away from Scarborough.

Luton pulled off a minor shock by winning 2-1 at struggling First Division side Bradford.

Adrian Forbes’ double secured a 2-1 win for the Hatters and Forbes even had the luxury of missing a late penalty which would have completed his hat-trick late on.

Delighted Luton boss Mike Newell said: “We’ve come to a First Division club and won and now we are looking for a good draw and a pay day in the fourth round.”

Hartlepool’s quest to take the FA Cup scalp of neighbours Sunderland at the Stadium of Light ended thanks to Julio Arca’s 53rd-minute winner for the home side.

Northampton gained another chance of an upset after holding First Division Rotherham to a 1-1 draw at Sixfields while Burnley avoided embarrassment in a stormy 2-0 win at Mansfield.

Ian Moore scored both Burnley’s goals but saw team-mate Richard Chaplow and Stags duo Jamie Clarke and Luke Dimech both sent off.

Last season’s semi-finalists Sheffield United added to Cardiff’s recent woes with a 1-0 win at Ninian Park thanks to Wayne Allison’s second-half strike.

Nottingham Forest and Millwall won all-First Division affairs against West Brom and Walsall respectively while George Burley made an unhappy return to former club Ipswich to watch his Derby side thrashed 3-0.

Two own goals failed to end kamikaze Preston’s Cup dream as they held on for a 3-3 home draw with Reading, Coventry beat Peterborough and West Ham won a tricky tie at Wigan.

Wimbledon and Stoke, and Barnsley and Scunthorpe must replay while Third Division Swansea made it through to the fourth round by beating Macclesfield.