EAST Thurrock United, Aveley and Tilbury are safely into the fourth round of the Essex Senior Cup after wins tonight.

A weakened East Thurrock side beat Great Wakering at Rookery Hill.

Darren Phillips scored midway through the first-half, plus two second-half strikes from Harry Honesty and Tom Anderson knocked Gary Ansell’s side out of the competition.

Aveley won a thrilling penalty shoot-out at Maldon & Tiptree to qualify against the odds.

The Millers were 2-0 down after 72 minutes, only for Junior Baker and then, on 89 minutes, Liam Nash to take the game to spot-kicks.

And it was Aveley that held their nerve, to win 5-4.

Tilbury got the better of Eastern Counties Division One side Halstead Town, running out 4-1 winners.

A first-half hat-trick from Ross Elsom put the Dockers in a comfortable position at the interval.

Neil Richmond added a fourth goal on the hour mark and, although Halstead scored two minutes later, it was merely a consolation.