Canvey threatened a dramatic late comeback but still went out of this year’s competition.

The Gulls went 3-0 down but got it back to 3-2 before Dave Tarpey completed hit hat-trick at the death to book the hosts’ place in the next round.

The Gulls were 1-0 down after four minutes as Tarpey fired home for the hosts, and it got worse for John Batch’s side three minutes after the restart as Nathan Collier doubled their advantage.

And when Tarpey made it 3-0 on 64 minutes, it left the Gulls with a mountain to climb.

But they set about their task well and, after top scorer Rob King had made it 3-1, Alex Rhodes reduced arrears even further to make it 3-2 and set up a nervy finish for the hosts.

But the great comeback hopes were dashed at the death as Canvey pushed for an equaliser and Tarpey completed his hat-trick with a breakaway goal.

Canvey manager Batch said: “We were the better side for most the game.

“They were fortunate with all their goals. The third goal was 10 yards offside and that killed us.

“Their fourth was in the 90th minute when we did not have a player back because we were pushing for an equaliser.

“We got it back to 3-2 and Kyle Asante and Rob King had clear cut chances to make it 3-3, but we did not take them.

“But overall we have not played badly, but we do need to be more clinical.

“Our forwards have had good chances but they did not score, and that is something we need to start addressing.”

Canvey: Russell, Alaile, Dumas, King, Sheehan, Easterford, Curran, Dobinson, Hallett, Heale, Rhodes.