EAST Thurrock United booked their place in the second round of the FA Trophy as they secured a 4-0 win over Aldershot Town.

Rocks were looking to repeat the success they enjoyed at the same stage last season – as they knocked their National League counterparts out of the competition thanks to an extra time winner from Kane Ferdinand in an entertaining replay 12 months ago.

And a first half strike from Lewis Smith was followed up by a Tom Richardson hat-trick to allow John Coventry’s side to see off Aldershot once again.

Shots went into the clash in sixth position in the National League standings, but Gary Waddock’s charges were winless and goalless in their last two outings.

The visitors’ Shamir Fenelon tried his luck from long-range early on, but his curling effort went wide of the target.

Rocks – who conceded five times last time out as they were defeated in the National League South by Hampton & Richmond Borough – restricted the Shots to half-chances and the away side were struggling to test home goalkeeper Lukas Lidakevicius.

However, the Lithuanian shot-stopper was called into action on the half hour mark as he denied Fenelon from point blank range.

And that save proved to be crucial as Rocks took the lead three minutes later.

Smith found a yard of space and his strike cannoned off the crossbar before finding the back of the net. Aldershot full-back Cheye Alexander’s efforts to intervene on the goal-line were in vain.

Rocks nearly doubled their lead three minutes before the break.

Ryan Sammons latched onto a loose ball and his long range right-footed effort looked destined for the top corner, but Shots goalkeeper Jake Cole pulled off a brilliant right handed save to tip the left-back’s strike onto the crossbar and Richardson was unable to convert the rebound.

Max Cornhill also forced Cole into a save as Rocks ended the first half well.

However, East Thurrock were to claim a two-goal advantage just four minutes after the interval.

James White pounced on a loose pass from Fenelon and put Richardson through on goal. Cole managed to get a hand onto the striker’s effort, but the ball still found the back of the net.

Shots continued to struggle to find an opening, with a number of players also slipping over on the FutureFuel Stadium surface.

Fenelon found Bobby-Joe Taylor, but the winger’s poor first touch found Jim Kellermann. However, the midfielder - who stretched to take the shot – sent his effort wide.

Rocks were to score a third just minutes later as Richardson found the corner of the net after being put through on goal once again.

And Richardson completed his hat-trick with 20 minutes still to play as he outmuscled Shots defender George Fowler before rounding Cole and slotting home.

Lidakevicius made a good save down to his left late on, which allowed Rocks to claim a convincing victory and clean sheet.

East Thurrock United: Lidakevicius, Burns, Sammons, Clark, M. Ekpiteta, White (Peddie 58’), Harris, Cornhill, Richardson (Honesty 84’), Smith (C. Ekpiteta 69’), Agyemang