Thurrock's big day under nationwide television scrutiny failed to live up to its billing.

The chance of a Match of the Day FA Cup First Round Sunday shock was kept alive during the tight, if strangely unadventurous first 45 minutes.

But Thurrock went out of the world's most famous cup competition thanks to a giveaway and unnecessary penalty handed to Coca Cola League One's Oldham Athletic by Steve Heffer.

Troubled Oldham's full time professionals had come to a buoyant Ship Lane aware of the potential for very public humiliation.

And Thurrock manager Colin McBride's first-choice strikeforce selection of Player of the Round-nominated Cliff Akurang, his sharpshooting partner Tresor Kandol and midfield dynamo Lee Hodges were all fit.

But too often the trio were left isolated by an over-cautious defence who were drawn deep trying to block Oldham's probing and harrying tactics.

40-year-old David Eyres was chief tormentor of the home defence. His swerving drive past the borough wall with 20 minutes gone drew a fine save from Thurrock keeper Billy McMahon.

The visitors' Lee Croft had chances too. At the other end of the park there were flashes of brilliance from Kandol and Akurang -- who saw their long range shots go high and wide -- but both strikers failed to play to their full potential against determined defences.

McBride's dilemma was that Dave Collis, skipper Jimmy McFarlane and Richard Goddard looked determined to keep the visitors at bay defensively, but the visitors ruled in midfield.

In the Thurrock goal Billy McMahon was called upon to keep his side in the game with a fingertip nudge over of a dead-cert Croft rocket and other blocks. Less than two minutes after the second half restart Athletic engineered their decisive move.

Experienced midfielder Heffer tracked back to mark Croft and then found himself chasing a 50/50 ball which looked to be going nowhere.

Heffer's clumsy challenge was unnecessary and Croft appealed and looked at the ref who did not hestiate before pointing at the spot.

New Zealand-born former Manchester City striker Chris Killen drilled home Oldham's lone goal.

It was watchable, gritty and often frustrating soccer for the remainder of the half. McBride brought on John Buffong for John Purdie and Kris Lee for Heffer. But his attempt to sharpen the borough's chances failed to make much impact.

Fervent Ship Lane fans will argue that Cliff Akurang deserved a penalty after being shoved off the ball in a challenge with Oldham keeper Les Pogliacomi, but this was a dubious call.

A flurry of late half chances -- falling to Lee with a stabbing right foot shot and Hodges' curling drive around the Athletic wall -- were too little too late. The Thurrock boss admitted that his team had not performed to their full capability when he spoke afterwards.

He said: "We were critical of ourselves in the first half. But at half time I still believed that we could get something out of the game. We could have done better.

"We usually have more energy and are better at getting the ball. But you have to remember that we were playing a team of professionals -- some of my lads were working yesterday. My team includes a fireman and a window cleaner. That's not an excuse -- it's just a fact of life in football at this level."

Speaking about Heffer's penalty giveaway, the Ship Lane boss had no complaints. "I thought that it looked clear and blatant," he said.

"People have to remember that there are three leagues between Oldham and us," said McBride, who was back to his job as an oil refinery worker on Monday.

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