ROCKS are into the next round of the FA Cup following an action-packed 3-2 win at Kingsmeadow.

The game looked done and dusted when the hosts had Tom Hutchinson sent off with 12 minutes to go and Sam Higgins converted the resulting penalty to put East Thurrock 3-1 up.

But the K's rallied and pulled one back through Matt Pattison to set up a nervy finish.

Rocks took a ninth minute lead with a scruffy goal from Kris Newby; some in the ground thought it might have been Kye Ruel's goal, but it was awarded to the prolific Newby.

And John Coventry's side were dominant in the first half and deservedly took a 2-0 lead into the interval following a cracking finish by Higgins three minutes before the break.

K's improved after the restart and, after Matt Somner had drawn a good save from Richard Wray, they reduced arrears when Dean Lodge beat two men and fired home.

Newby's shot skimmed the top of the bar for Rocks before Hutchinson was given his marching orders for a last-man foul on Ruel.

Higgins converted the spot kick for his third goal of the season to give his side some breathing room.

But the hosts were quickly back in the tie when Pattison took advantage of unfortunate slips by both Rocks' centre backs by finishing well in a one-on-one with Wray with 12 minutes to go.

Substitute Sam Clayton shot wide from the edge of the box late on, but Rocks held on to guarantee their place in today's draw for the next round.

East Thurrock: Wray, Sammons, Stephen, Peddie, Sheehan, Parmenter, Newby, Gilbey, Higgins, Araba, Ruel.