FA Cup replay: Tower Hamlets 1 Cockfosters 5

Tower Hamlets saw their FA Cup dreams shattered with a heavy home defeat in their preliminary round replay at Mile End Stadium.

An injury-time goal had earned them a 3-3 draw on Saturday and a second chance back on home turf, but Ade Abayomi’s youngsters fell behind after only three minutes when a fierce low shot by Gary Simmonds beat Sean Bazell.

But the home side hit back to haul themselves level on 33 minutes when a corner from the right was headed home from close range by Aliu Ibrahim.

Cockfosters regained the lead on the stroke of half-time, though, as Shane Reid found the net from 14 yards after a throw-in was headed on by Ben Andreos.

And it was 3-1 just three minutes after the restart as good work by Andreos on the right saw his low cross converted at the far post by Jacob Kalonda.

Frustrated Tower Hamlets saw a good chance go begging when the visiting keeper parried a fierce shot but the rebound was fired over.

And the home side were then reduced to 10 men when O’Neal Rowe was dismissed before falling further behind on 78 minutes when Stylianou crossed for Reid to fire home his second goal of the afternoon.

Cockfosters completed their nap hand two minutes later when Andreos got his name on the scoresheet and a disappointing day for Tower Hamlets was summed up when Omar Rowe was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence after a challenge on Andreos.

Spartan South Midlands League outfit Cockfosters banked the £1,925 prize money and a trip to Ryman North side Bury Town on September 12.

Tower Hamlets turn their attentions to the FA Vase next weekend when they travel to Eastern Counties League outfit Whitton United, whose chairman is the former Norwich, Newcastle and Tottenham winger Ruel Fox.

Hamlets were drawn at home in the first qualifying round, but so were Sporting Bengal and they will have use of the Mile End Stadium instead to play Burnham Ramblers in their tie.