GRAYS Athletic advanced to the second round of the Velocity Cup, after securing a 2-0 win over Bowers & Pitsea with 10 men.
Jamie Stuart's side got off to the perfect start as Kieran Bishop scored inside four minutes.
Bowers captain Martyn Stokes made a costly error, as his poor backpass fell to Bishop, who rounded goalkeeper Callum Chafer before putting the ball into the unguarded net.
And Grays doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time from the penalty spot.
Chafer was adjudged to have fouled Bishop, and Ade Cole stepped up to dispatch the resulting spot kick.
The Bowers goalkeeper made a string of fine saves to give the home side a glimmer of hope.
But Lamar Johnson was also in good form, as he turned away a Lewis Manor that looked destined for the top corner.
Although Stuart will have been happy to have secured the victory, one major negative was the second half dismissal of Bishop.
The striker received two yellow cards at the Len Salmon Stadium and will now miss the clash with Canvey Island.
Meanwhile, Aveley were knocked out of the competition after suffering a 5-1 defeat at AFC Hornchurch.
Former Miller Adam Tuohy gave the hosts the lead before Matthias Fanimo made it two when Rhys Madden failed to collect the ball.
Adam Bolle got Aveley back into the game as his shot on the turn found the back of the net, but the Urchins were to restore their two-goal lead before the break as George Purcell was allowed time before finding the bottom corner.
Purcell then notched a second after the break, before Bolle saw a header come back off the post on 75 minutes.
And Theo Fairweather-Johnson completed the convincing win for the Isthmian North frontrunners late on.
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