GULLS striker Spencer Bellotti described scoring a last-minute winner in the FA Cup as “superb”.

The 23-year-old’s brace helped Canvey reach the Third Qualifying Round of the historic competition for the first time since the 2010/11 season as they beat St Neots Town 2-1 in a replay on Tuesday night.

Victory away in Cambridgeshire means the Gulls will welcome North Greenford United to Park Lane on October 12 in the next round.

Bellotti, who also scored on Saturday against St Neots in the 2-2 draw, drilled a 56th-minute shot into the net before Rene Steer smashed in a 35-yard equaliser for the hosts in the 71st minute.

But in the 90th minute and with extra time looming, Bellotti was able to get onto a ball from Sheldon Sellears to score and keep the Gulls’ dream of reaching the First Round proper alive.

“When they scored that screamer I thought it was not going to be our day,” Bellotti said.

“But we kept going and when my shot went in at the end, I saw all the fans behind the goal and they were going mental and me and the lads ran over and celebrated with them. It was superb.”

With Calor League Division One Central side North Greenford United coming up in the next round, Bellotti said the players know there is a great chance to continue their cup run.

And he admitted that despite having a few dream ties for later stages of the competition in his head, Bellotti and his Gulls team-mates must focus on the task ahead first.

Bellotti said: “Even though they are a level below us, we have to approach the match professionally, but I think if we keep playing like we are right now we’ll get through.

“West Ham United at Upton Park would be a dream tie if we could get that eventually, but any league side away would be fantastic if we got to the First Round, especially Southend as they are nearby and there’s a bit of rivalry there.”

Canvey manager Danny Heale praised Bellotti for his recent effort, adding it is good to still for the club to be on a cup run.

Heale said: “Spencer’s been a bit unlucky this season because the way we’ve set up for games I have asked him to play on the right a few times or to sit in behind.

“But whenever he has started as a striker he has looked dangerous.

“We are all over the moon to be in the next round of the cup and we have given ourselves a good opportunity to progress again with a tie against lower league opposition, although it will still be tough.”