By JOHN CHUBB
@JohnCphoenixfm
Robbie Simpson’s injury-time winner saw Chelmsford City progress to the next of the FA Trophy, as they saw off fellow National League South club Havant & Waterlooville at Melbourne Park.
Billy Knott had given the Clarets a 16th minute lead, the former Bradford City midfielder scoring with a superb volley which sailed past visiting goalkeeper Ross Worner, who had a brief spell on loan with Chelmsford early last season.
Havant won a penalty 10 minutes later after Michael Chambers brought down Jonah Ayunta in the box, but Danny Kedwell’s spot-kick was saved by City keeper Sam Howes.
But Kedwell got his side back in the match after the break, with a superb 54th minute strike from 30 yards out.
Then, just as the tie looked to be heading for a replay up popped Simpson with the winning goal in the second minute of time added on to make the final score 2-1 to Rod Stringer’s side.
Concord Rangers also faced a fellow National League South side and went through, after a superb comeback saw them win 3-2 in their away tie at Maidstone United.
Goals from Zinhi Temelci and Matt McClure saw the home side 2-0 in front with the game just 19 minutes old, but the Beach Boys reduced the deficit with 34 minutes played.
Kreshnic Krasniqi’s effort from the edge of the box was pushed into the path of Kit Elliott, and the on-loan Huddersfield Town youngster tapped the ball home.
Concord equalised with 82 minutes gone through Lamar Reynolds, before a Danny Green free-kick won the match with just four minutes left to play.
And Hornchurch also put their name in the hat for the second round, the Isthmian Premier League side seeing off a side a league higher as they beat Dulwich Hamlet of the National League South at Bridge Avenue by a goal to nil.
Nathan Cooper’s 53rd minute volley from a Matt Johnson free-kick proved sufficient to see Urchins into the next stage.
Dagenham & Redbridge will meet Sutton United again in a home replay, after the two National League teams fought out a 1-1 draw at Gander Green Lane.
Joe Quigley gave the Daggers a 55th minute lead before Omar Bugiel levelled for Sutton with 13 minutes remaining.
Aveley also have a home replay to look forward to after a 3-3 draw away to Carshalton Athletic, who are currently fifth in the Isthmian Premier League.
But the Millers ended up disappointed after shocking their hosts by going into a 3-0 lead.
A 15th minute Firmin Ngandu penalty, followed by goals from Harry Gibbs and Jason Raad in the 18th and 53rd minutes had seemingly put the second-placed Isthmian North outfit fully in command.
But Carshalton levelled on 56 minutes through Harry Ottaway, Christie Pattison bent the ball home from 25 yards out with 9 minutes left and in the fifth minute of time added on, the home side won a penalty which was slotted home by Paris Hamilton-Downes.
The draw for the second round will take place tomorrow (Monday 16th December).
