Two first half goals enabled Sevenoaks Town to progress in the F.A. Cup with victory at Erith Town.

Although the Dockers pulled one back in the second period it was the visitors who won the preliminary round replay following their two all draw at Sevenoaks on Saturday.

Unfortunately, the replay did not live up to the excitement of the first game. While there was no lack of endeavour, there was a shortage of quality which was borne out by the fact that all three goals were scored by centre backs.

Louis Collins shot across the face of goal but Jack Moore pushed it wide of the far post in the early exchanges.

Stefan Wright then had a long throw deflected into the side netting but from the corner, Sevenoaks scored. Tommy Cooney delivered and Joe Tennant headed home.

A goalmouth scramble at the other end almost brought about an equaliser but no Erith player was able to poke it home then Sam Bailey cut in but side-footed wide from twenty yards.

Collins accurate through ball created a half chance for Dan Parkinson but he curled his effort over before Sevenoaks doubled their lead three minutes before the break. Cooney again sent in a corner and Tennant’s header down was met by Collins. Although his shot was cleared off the line, Dean Gunner was on hand to force it home.

Still before the interval, Moore held on to a Tennant header from another Wright throw then Gunner’s flying volley flew over from Cooney’s cross.

After the break, Gunner met a Wright throw with a header that hit Collins and looped over before Erith pulled one back. Ben Bridle-Card made a stunning save to claw out Steadman Callender’s shot but Ryan Mahal was on hand to bundle it home.

Erith pushed for an equaliser but Sevenoaks defended resolutely and kept chances down to a minimum. Danny Phillips put in a cross that Michael Power headed over at the far post and the same two players combined again soon after but Power was again off target with a glancing header.

Moore made an easy save from Kyle De Silva before starting a quick break that ended with a Power shot that was deflected just out of the reach of Fred Obasa. Then Harry Gamble found Obasa who laid it back to Callender but he dragged his shot wide.

In the closing minutes, Erith threw players forward leaving them prone to the counter-attack and Wright went on a good run but his shot was deflected wide. Then in the final minute of stoppage time, Moore went up for a corner but it came out to Collins who went on a long run as Moore raced back. Although Collins was able to get round the goalkeeper, Mahal got back to clear his shot off the line.

It made no difference to the outcome, though, as the referee’s final whistle blew seconds later and Sevenoaks can now prepare for a trip to Redhill in the first qualifying round.

Erith Town: Moore, Jeffery, Jonah, Lawrence (Eldridge 87), Mahal, McDonagh, Gamble, Phillips, Callender (Nosike 90+2), Obasa, Bailey (Power 46). Unused subs: White, Oduguwu, Ozcelik.

Goalscorers: Mahal (55)

Yellow cards: Eldridge

Red cards: None

Sevenoaks Town: Bridle-Card, Divine, Cooney, Dasho, Tennent, Gunner, Parkinson (Holmes 69), Wright, Thompson, Collins, Fowler (Da Silva 59). Unused subs: Deakins, Schafer, Walsh, Town, Skerry..

Goalscorers: Tennant (5), Gunner (42)

Yellow cards: Wright

Red cards: None

Referee: Jos McKay

Assistants: Alex Kyriacou and Gavin Bailey

Attendance: 204

Images courtesy of Dave Budden