EAST Thurrock United booked their place in the fourth round of the Essex Senior Cup thanks to a Sam Higgins hat-trick.

The Rocks skipper was in fine form as the National League South side recorded a 3-0 win over White Ensign.

Brett Munyard’s Thurlow Nunn Eastern Senior Football League Division One South high-flyers went into the tie as underdogs, with East Thurrock four divisions above them in the pyramid.

And White Ensign fell behind as Higgins broke the deadlock with 20 minutes played.

Higgins doubled his and East Thurrock’s tally for the evening 10 minutes before the break.

And Higgins was to go home with the matchball as the striker completed his hat-trick with 25 minutes still to play.

While East Thurrock were able to advance in the competition, Basildon United suffered a 4-2 defeat to Waltham Abbey.

Eljay Worrell and Brian Moses got their names on the scoresheet for the hosts, but Mark Stimson’s Isthmian South Central table-toppers were victorious.

The Bees got off to the perfect start as they raced into a third minute lead.

While Rimmel Daniel went down injured, Basildon played on and Worrell fired Jack Adlington’s cross into the top corner of the net.

But the visitors were on level terms just five minutes later as Timothy Ogunrinde’s dipping strike eluded home goalkeeper Connor Wheatley.

And the game was turned on its head with 26 minutes on the clock as Daniel Aristidou put Waltham Abbey in front.

Basildon were level just before the hour mark as Moses raced clear before slotting home.

But the away side went back ahead minutes later as Marc Harrison’s failed to deal with a corner and Rob Clark wrapped up the win by lobbing Wheatley.

It was also a night to forget for Canvey Island, as they lost 4-0 at Braintree Town.

Meanwhile, Bowers & Pitsea are through to the second round of the Isthmian League Cup after registering a 3-1 triumph over Haringey Borough.

Max Cornhill scored a brace of goals, while Quentin Monville was also on target.

Haringey raced into a 10th minute lead as Michael Ademiluyi’s deflected effort trickled into the bottom corner.

But Bowers were behind for just five minutes as Monville unleashed a screamer.

Cornhill then gave Bowers the lead moments after Andy Wilton pulled off a wonder save.

And Bowers ensured they would progress in the competition as Cornhill headed home to complete his brace on the hour mark.