Littlehampton Town crashed out of the Emirates FA Cup on Sunday afternoon despite leading the tie 2-1 with four minutes left on the clock.

The Golds had led the tie twice through two Alex Laing goals but were on the end of a shock result having seemed set for a replay minimum on Tuesday evening.

Laing had set the home side on their way after 19 minutes, heading in at the far post from Ryan Yoro-Thomas’ cross. The tie shifted momentum minutes later as Matt Astle caught a Faversham player with a high boot and received a red card.

The visitors equalised on the half hour mark, Frannie Collin heading home and despite controlling the possession with a man advantage the scores were level at half time.

While Faversham looked dangerous through the second half down the flanks it was the home side who went in front again on 69 minutes, Laing put through, outmuscled the defender and slotted past Jacob Russell to restore Littlehampton’s lead.

It looked as if the Golds would hold out for a place in the 1st Qualifying Round but a superb free kick into the top corner from Sam Hasler with four minutes to play brought the sides level once again.

Worse followed for the home side as Collin popped up again in the first minute of stoppage time to head Faversham in front for the first time and ultimately the winner much to the disbelief of most of the 310 in attendance.