Crowboough Athletic have become the third Sussex club in the third qualifying round of the FA Cup after a superb effort to beat two-divisions-higher Hampton and Richmond.

The Crows beat the Beavers 3-1 in a replay on Tuesday night after a superb 3-3 draw at the Beveree against their National South hosts.

Rushaar Samuel-Smikle put Athletic ahead in the replay and after Hampton levelled before the break, a second half double by Elliott Duncan got them through.

Sean Muggeridge’s Crows will be at home in the next round to Wimborne Town – who are also celebrating areplay win over a higher-division side after beating Weston-super-Mare.

Elliott Duncan was the Crows' double goal hero as they beat Hampton in an FA Cup replay | Picture: CAFC on X

placeholder image — Elliott Duncan was the Crows' double goal hero as they beat Hampton in an FA Cup replay | Picture: CAFC on X

Wimborne are 15th in the Southern League Premier South, one level above Crowborough, who operate in the Isthmian SE.

As reported, Horsham are set for a long trip west – and Eastbourne Borough may have a similiar one – after the sides were given away ties in Monday’s draw.

The Hornets – who won 3-0 at Walton and Hersham in Saturday’s second qualifying round – will be away to Plymouth Parkway, who are currently second in the Southern League Premier South, one level between the one Dom Di Paola’s team play in.

Eastbourne Borough – who also won 3-0 in the second qualifying stage, their win coming at home to Windsor and Eton – will visit either Thame United or Exmouth Town.

Dan Ajakaiye celebrates a goal for Horsham in their FA Cup win at Walton and Hersham | McCartney Martin

Thame are 10th in the Southern League Central – a step four division one below Borough’s Isthmian Premier – while Exmouth are sixrh in the Southern League South, which is also a step four set-up.

Exmouth drew 3-3 at Thame in the second qualifying round and the sides replay the tie at Exmouth this evening (Sept 23).

The third qualifying round takes place on Saturday, October 3, and winners at that stage pick up £5,625 prize money.

There’s one more qualifying round after the third – with Worthing and the rest of the National League teams entering for the fourth qualifying stage on October 17 – before the first round proper takes centre stage on the weekend of November 7/8.