Cray Valley’s FA Cup run came to an end at full-time National League South outfit Havant on Sunday.

The Millers have never been past the Second Qualifying Round before so this was their first appearance in the First Round.

But Kevin Watson’s men had their progress halted by a resilient Hawks side, who had to play the last half-hour with 10 men.

Havant are well known in FA Cup circles for their famous run to Anfield in 2007/08 when they lost 5-2 at Liverpool in the Fourth Round.

This is the fourth time they’ve reached the First Round since then – and maybe they’ll fancy another long run in the competition after registering their first win in the competition proper since that memorable season.Cray settled quickly and enjoyed the better of the early possession, Ade Yusuff’s early cross-shot going across the face of goal.

Havant’s Godfrey Poku was booked inside the second minute for a late tackle in the middle of the park.

It took the hosts 18 minutes to find a breakthrough. A neat exchange of passes started with Bedsente Gomis and when his run into the box was untracked, he was able to head in George McLennan’s left-wing cross from close range.

Havant nearly added a second five minutes later but Andy Walker was out smartly to save from Josh Taylor, who skipped past two challenges to give himself a clear sight of goal.

But Cray were more than a match for the home side and they nearly levelled seven minutes before the break when Hassan Ibrahiym led the break from a long Havant throw-in and Ade Adeyemo lifted his left-footed shot over the bar.

Havant were reduced to 10 men just after the hour mark when Poku had his pocket picked by Ibrahiym on halfway and promptly brough the Cray man down. Referee James Durkin produced a second yellow card followed by a red in double-quick time.

Cray put pressure on the home side in the final 10 minutes in search of an equaliser to take the game to extra-time. Ibrahiym’s shot was deflected over and Yusuff also missed the target.

Matthew Warren’s shot from the edge of the box was deflected wide before Cray had a great penalty appeal turned down when Yusuff went down in the box. Despite initially allowing play to go on, referee Durkin stopped play to book the Cray striker for diving.

Cray went even closer in stoppage time when Warren’s delightful right-foot curler from the edge of the box came back off the angle of post and crossbar.

Havant: Worner, Read, Poku, Diarra, Magri, Taylor, Iaciofano (Robson 66mins), Gomis, Wright, Deacon (Sinclair 83mins), McLennan. Subs not used: Straker, Ajakaiye, Bright, Luce, Tupper.

Cray: Walker, Dymond, Hickey (Morath-Gibbs 63mins), Sains, Tumkaya, Gayle, Adeyemo (Hill 78mins), McCann (Babalola 69mins), Warren, Ibrahiym, Yusuff. Subs not used: Farmer, Blendell, King-Elliott, Beerling.

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