Phoenix FM’s JOHN CHUBB reporting from the AGP Arena

Billericay Town reached the last eight of the FA Trophy after overcoming Harrogate Town at the second attempt, in spite of having to play the final 20 minutes with 10 men following Calum Butcher’s dismissal.

Blues began with the same 11 that drew 2-2 at the CNG Stadium on Saturday. Harrogate boss Simon Weaver, whose side currently lie second in the National League North made one change from the weekend, with Leeds United loanee Liam Kitching making his debut.

There were few chances in the early stages of the match, Harrogate coming closest when Simon Ainge headed wide from close range from a cross, and his strike partner Dominic Knowles who had a shot blocked.

But it was Billericay who opened the scoring on 21 minutes, Ricky Modeste thumping a left foot screamer into the back of the net from the edge of the penalty box to make it 1-0 to the home side.

Modeste wasn’t far away from adding a second on the half hour, when he stole possession from visiting right back Ben Middleton but goalkeeper James Belshaw gathered the ball to safety.

In the 33rd minute Blues’ lead was doubled when left back Josh Urquhart set up the remarkably prolific Jake Robinson, who fired past Belshaw for his 43rd goal of the season in all competitions.

Then Harrogate were awarded a penalty on 38 minutes when Ainge was fouled inside the box. The former Bradford City striker then stepped up to take the spot kick and fired it past home keeper Alan Julian to reduce the deficit.

After the break striker Adam Cunnington made it 3-1 to Ricay on 54 minutes, ending a goalmouth scramble by slotting the ball past Belshaw from close range.

Blues were now in full command against their higher ranked visitors. On 69 minutes Robinson cleverly flicked the ball out left to Modeste whose shot was on target, but was caught by Belshaw.

A minute later the hosts were reduced to 10 men with Butcher’s sending off for a second bookable offence, the Mansfield Town loanee having already received a yellow card only 4 minutes previously.

George Thomson had a good chance for the Yorkshire side with 8 minutes remaining when he had only Julian to beat from close range, but saw his shot blocked by the Billericay keeper.

Then in the 87th minute, after Julian had punched the ball over the bar the resulting corner was headed home by Harrogate substitute Mark Beck to make it 3-2 and set up a nervous finish for the home team, especially in the five minutes of injury time when the visitors piled forward. But their attempts to equalise were in vain, and Billericay go through to the quarter finals and a home tie against Wealdstone of the National League South.

Billericay Town: Alan Julian, Joe Kizzi, Josh Urquhart, Dean Inman, Rob Swaine, Sam Deering (Matt Paine 74), Ricky Modeste, Jamie O’Hara (Danny Waldren 64), Calum Butcher, Jake Robinson (Robbie Evans 90), Adam Cunnington

Harrogate Town: James Belshaw, Ben Middleton, Ben Parker, Josh Falkingham, Liam Kitching, Warren Burrell, George Thomson, Jack Emmett (Mark Beck 80), Simon Ainge, Dominic Knowles (Jordan Thewlis 63), Joe Leesley.

Attendance: 820