The FA Trophy reached its third round stage on Saturday, and one of the ties of the round took place at Park Lane where cup kings Canvey Island took on fellow Ryman Leaguers Purfleet.

Canvey, winners of the competition last season at Villa Park, entered the tie hot favourites to continue their incredible run which had seen only two defeats in their last 27 games - and one of those in the FA Cup last weekend at First Division Burnley.

Purfleet, on the other hand, have edged their way into mid-table of late, though must have feared the worst when the league leaders raced into a two-goal lead, through record signing Paul Cobb, and an unfortunate own goal by Dean Chandler.

The course of the game changed considerably however five minutes into the second half, as home keeper Ashley Harrison saw red after pulling down Keith Martin inside the box.

Former Billericay man Paul Linger stepped up from 12 yards, only to see his shot rebound off the post.

'Fleet continued to press though, and after Martin had seen what looked a good goal chalked off for a dubious offside, he finally reduced the arrears with 13 minutes remaining. Back in the contest, Purfleet didn't have to wait long for the equaliser, and it was Linger who atoned for his earlier miss by stabbing the ball home with ten minutes to spare.

A classic Cup tie - fans will hope for a repeat in tonight's replay at Ship Lane.

Braintree Town were involved in something of a thriller at Champion Hill, where they faced Dulwich Hamlet - a team they replaced in the Premier Division this season.

Trailing to Dave Stevens' opener for Hamlet on five minutes, they hit back through Tommy Noble twenty minutes later.

Nicky Simpson was terrorising the home defence with some penetrating passes, and it was he who gave the Essex side the lead, hooking it a right wing cross on 41 minutes.

Nonetheless, the Ryman Division One side were not to be outdone, and 14 minutes from time a replay looked on the cards as Charlie Side converted Endersby's cross for the equaliser.

A dramatic turnaround was completed two minutes later as Side charged down an attempted clearance from Paul Catley, presenting Declan Perkins with an open goal. He duly despatched the ball into the net and Braintree looked as if they were going out.

However, the spirit shown thus far in league matches was evident in the closing minutes, and it was 3-3 five minutes from time as Dean Parratt powered a clever volley into the net from 18 yards.

The tie was deep into stoppage time when the final twist arrived, and it was Simpson again, this time running clear on goal from the half-way line. He drew keeper James Mercer before slotting in and confirming Braintree's thrilling passage into the 4th Round.

The other Essex club in action was Grays Athletic. They hosted Dr Martens Premier Division side Welling United, though couldn't contend with the attacking power of former Aldershot man Gary Abbott.

He bagged four goals in an disappointing afternoon for the home side, who notched two themselves through Sammy Cooper and Andy Sussex.

Published Monday January 14, 2002