FLACKWELL Heath advanced to the next stage of the FA Cup after inflicting a first defeat of the season on Essex League side Maldon Town in Tuesday night's preliminary round replay at Wilks Park.

Rob Anson scored a debatable penalty to bank his side the £1,000 winners' cheque and set up a first round qualifying clash at home to Buckingham on September 21.

He kept his cool to convert the £1,000 spot-kick after Heathens striker Gavin Mernagh had made the most of a challenge in the box.

The match was a tale of two penalties. One which was given and one which was not.

Maldon were furious that Flackwell were given theirs and outraged when the referee waved away their 45th minute penalty appeal and booked Sam Banya for diving.

But Flackwell player boss Neil Catlin, whose 86 minute header in Saturday's 1-1 draw forced the replay, had no problems with either decision.

He said: "Gavin's a striker that's what's going to happen. He isn't going to stand up if he's got the chance of a penalty. They did the same. They went over like little girls everytime we touched them."

Flackwell, who were without injured skipper Matt Flint, had to withstand a furious second half onslaught from the Essex side who had gone into the game with a scoring average of three goals per match.

Lee Elliott had to clear a Scott Witney shot off the line while stand-in stopper Lee Knott, playing in place of the injured Stewart Poole, saved with his legs to deny substitute Maldon Terry Warwick as Maldon turned the screw.

Visiting dangerman Banya almost took the game into extra-time with a lob which beat Knott all ends up but the ball bounced just wide and Heath held on to take their place in the first qualifying round.

Catlin said: "Our side is all about team spirit and we battled away and got the result. They're a better footballing side than us but we stuck at it and got our rewards.

"It's been a good night. The FA Cup is special. Half these boys have never gone past the preliminary round before."