FC CLACTON bowed out of the Essex Senior Cup after a 1-0 defeat at home to Southend Manor tonight.

Rhys Fatt scored the only goal just before half-time, to settle a hard-fought second-round tie at the Rush Green Bowl.

Clacton’s best first-half efforts came from Kevin Coyle – once from a low free-kick that was well-saved and once with an effort that flashed just wide – while Charlie Thompson saw a goal-bound shot deflected over the Manor bar.

Southend nearly doubled their lead early in the second half, having an effort cleared off the line, while keeper Luke Avenell made a fantastic double save for the Seasiders.

At the other end, substitutes Jake Plane and Terry Rymer both tested Southend shot-stopper Liam Pitts.

Plane’s clever effort in the closing seconds came back off the bar and Coyle had a goal controversially ruled out for a foul on Pitts.

Clacton also felt they should have had a penalty for a foul on Harry McDonald.

However, it was not to be and the visitors held onto their lead to advance into the third round.

Elsewhere in the Essex Senior Cup, STANWAY ROVERS also bowed out after losing 2-0 at Basildon United while HALSTEAD TOWN went down 3-2 at Stansted.

Cameron Storie and Harry Salter were on target for the Humbugs.

COGGESHALL TOWN won 2-0 at Hullbridge Sports thanks to late goals from Conor Hubble and Dan McCullock.

There was a key Thurlow Nunn League premier division fixture as BRANTHAM ATHLETIC and WIVENHOE TOWN met at the Leisure Centre.

And there was late drama as the Imps grabbed a 1-0 victory thanks to Ben Newson’s goal in the 90th minute.

LITTLE OAKLEY had a League Challenge Cup tie at Hadleigh United and won 1-0, thanks to an early goal from Ryan Smart.

Elsewhere, Bostik League sides switched their attention to the newly-named Velocity Trophy.

BRIGHTLINGSEA REGENT had a night to forget after losing 5-1 in their first-round tie at AFC Sudbury.

George Doyle grabbed their consolation but it was too little, too late as Adam Mills had already scored twice for the Suffolk side, in addition to goals from Joe Claridge and Ollie Dunlop.

Mills then added a fifth four minutes from time to complete his hat-trick.

MALDON AND TIPTREE had a penalty shoot-out in their match at home to Leiston and eventually won 5-4, after the tie finished 1-1.

Chris Millar scored the Jammers’ goal.

WITHAM TOWN were also involved in a shoot-out after a goal-less draw at Soham Town Rangers but lost 9-8.

HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS had been scheduled to host Metropolitan Police in an FA Cup second qualifying round replay but the tie was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. It has now been rearranged for next Tuesday.