BASILDON United, back in the competition after a lengthy break, and much-improved Hullbridge Sports were the local heroes of the FA Vase first qualfying round.

The new towners went to Spartan South Midlands League Division One Bedford United and Valerio and returned with a 4-0 success thanks to a brace from Danny Downer and single strikes by Frank McArdle and Anthony Church.

The new towners will be hoping to repeat the comfortable scoreline when they host Buckingham Athletic in the second round in a fortnight.

Hullbridge hosted Ridgeons Eastern Counties League Cornard United, who have a good pedigree in this competition, and won 3-1.

Jamie Cheesewright grabbed a twin strike after 38 and 83 minutes with Neil Hughes on target nine minutes after the break.

Bowers and Pitsea continued their miserable season with a 2-0 defeat at Ipswich Wander-ers, while Aveley-based London APSA went down 2-1 at Tiptree.

Elsewhere Sawbridgeworth saw off Long Buckby at home 2-0, but Barkingside were beaten 3-1 at Buckingham Town.