BRIGHTLINGSEA REGENT suffered FA Trophy heartache tonight after a 2-1 defeat at home to Hayes and Yeading United.

The sides met in a third qualifying round replay at the Taydal Stadium, after drawing 0-0 on Saturday.

An attractive tie at Trophy holders Brackley Town, of National League North, awaited the winners, in addition to prize money worth £5,000.

But it was Hayes who overturned a half-time deficit to progress to the first-round proper on December 15.

Regent were deserving of their interval lead, having had more possession in the first half.

Their goal came five minutes before the break, when Jake Gould whipped in a perfect left-wing cross and Jake Clowsley directed his header beyond keeper Jack Smith.

Unfortunately for the hosts, it was a lead that only lasted until seven minutes after the restart.

Toby Little fed Duncan Culley, who had been sent off in the first meeting between the sides, and he powered a low effort beyond keeper James Bradbrook.

The visitors grabbed their winner in the 79th minute, scored by Little with a free-kick from the right that dipped under Bradbrook’s bar.

Tonight’s game kicked-off at the delayed time of 8.15pm, because of traffic problems on the A12.