TILBURY were knocked out of the Velocity Cup at the first hurdle after suffering defeat to Romford on penalties.

Aaron Waters' early goal was not enough for the visitors as Greg Akpele's goal forced the clash to a penalty shoot-out.

And Romford notched a 5-3 spot-kick win to book their place in the second round of the competition. 

The Dockers returned to Ship Lane less than a month after losing 4-1 to Boro in the Isthmian North.

But Gary Henty's side got off to a promising start.

Waters gave Tilbury a 12th minute lead to put the visitors in the ascendancy.

The home side pushed for an equaliser but they were unable to breach the Dockers defence before half-time.

However, Romford did hit back on 72 minutes through Akpele.

The striker twisted and turned, leaving Dockers goalscorer Waters on the ground in attempting to make a tackle, before calmly slotting the ball past goalkeeper Louis Hawes.

Neither side could add to their tally, so the tie went to a penalty shoot-out.

And one save from Boro goalkeeper Steve Reynolds, along with all five penalties being converted by his team-mates, allowed Romford to win 5-3 on penalties and advance in the Velocity Cup at Tilbury's expense.

Tilbury: Hawes, Pullen, Dance (Gulliver 74'), Odelusi, Waters, McWee (Little 58'), Kyungu, Jaggs, Salako, Martin, Melaugh (Norton 68')