East Thurrock United 3, Sutton Common Rovers 1

ROCKS had to work hard to overcome Isthmian South Central side Sutton Common Rovers in this competitive tie played under increasingly miserable conditions at Rookery Hill.

There was little to choose between the sides in the opening 45 minutes which was played in a steady drizzle. Rocks best chance of the half came when Harry Hope's free kick grazed the outside of the post.

As the rain became more persistent after the interval, Rocks had to thank Trinidad & Tobago international keeper Montel Joseph, making his second start of the season, for a tremendous double save early in the second half to keep the visitors at bay.

That moment apart however, Rocks had steadily gained control of the tie and it was no surprise when, just before the hour mark Brian Moses made his extra inches count, heading past Rovers keeper Daniel Purdue to put Marc Harrison's boys one up.

A second goal followed some five minutes later as Hope curled in a corner from the right and Sutton defender Bertie Lloyd, under pressure from Jack McQueen, headed past his own keeper.

The visitors were thrown a lifeline as the game moved into added time when right wing back Kevin Diomande fired a stunner past Joseph from the edge of the box.

However, their joy was shortlived as within a minute, Darnell Kithambo broke down the right and picked out a precision pass for skipper Oli Spooner to tuck home his first of the season.

Rocks will now travel to face Isthmian South East side Cray Valley PM in the next round of the trophy