Grays Athletic earned themselves a fourth qualifying round home tie against Conference side Margate in the FA Cup after beating Purfleet 3-2 in Tuesday's replay at the Rec.

Saturday's original fixture between the Ryman Premier clubs finished 1-1 at the Hotel Ground but fans were treated to a five-goal feast in the rematch.

Nathan Thomas bundled the ball in after Fleet keeper Alex O'Reilly spilled David Rainford's attempt on 17 minutes.

The opening settled Grays and they had the better of the opening 45 minutes to lead 1-0 at the break. But Fleet came out fighting and ensured the second-half was the best of the four in the fixture.

Colin McBride's men equalised on 55 minutes when Steve Pashley beat Grays' 18-year-old keeper Dominique Zephiran at his far post from substitute Martin Buglioni's corner.

In fact Buglioni and fellow sub Jamie Blunden improved Fleet no end but the visitors found themselves 2-1 down on 69 minutes when Alex Fiddes side-footed home after good work by Steve Robinson.

Two minutes later Grays went 3-1 up when Thomas cut inside and delivered a quality shot into the top corner of O'Reilly's goal.

Fleet struck back when French keeper Zephiran - standing in for Southend United custodian Mel Capleton, who Blues have not released to play in the Cup for Grays - missed a Buglioni lob for Steve Marshall to score with a diving header on 84 minutes.

Buglioni had a chance to equalise three minutes later but his shot hit the angle and bounced clear, leaving Fleet to falter at the third qualifying round for the fourth consecutive season.

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