FA Cup: Excitement building for Burgess Hill Town – but Haywards Heath Town are out

Hill have now got through three rounds to set up a second qualifying round tie at home to Amersham Town on Saturday week.

Their third success of the competition this season came on Saturday when a Nathan Cooper header deep into injury time secured a 2-1 win over AFC Croydon Athletic in the first qualifying round.

It followed wins over Spelthorne Sports and Eastbourne Town in the extra preliminary and preliminary rounds.

The three wins have earned nearly £5,000 in prize money with the prospect of more to come if they can keep the run going.

But Haywards Heath fell at the third hurdle, putting in a great effort away to Isthmian premier side Carshalton but losing 3-1 – a Darius Goldsmith all they had to show for a battling performance.

Naim Rouane’s side can now turn their attentions back to their Southern Combination premier division campaign, which they have started with four wins and a draw.

Heath won 3-0 at Loxwood in the Peter Bentley Cup on Tuesday and host Newhaven on Saturday.

At Leylands Park, the Hillians had a big chance early on as Dan Perry robbed the defence and laid it off to Martyn Box, but he couldn’t convert from 15 yards.

The visitors struck first on 42 minutes as one small mis-control at the back fell for David Omilabu, who leathered past a helpless Slav Huk.

Hill levelled early in the second half through Dan Perry. Visiting keeper Amadou Tangara came out and missed the ball, got back to claw it on to the post, but ended up in the net as Perry dived to head in.

Croydon were reduced to ten men on 66 minutes when Mekhi Savage was sent off. In injury time a bouncing ball led to a challenge between Ben Pope and keeper Tangara. The keeper was caught and was stretchered off after treatment.

The Hillians won it when sub Brannon O’Neill sent an excellent delivery in for defender Cooper to head home.

Hill visit Southall in the FA Trophy first qualifying round on Saturday.