FA Trophy carnage defines the week at Step 4

Shocks, comebacks and high-scoring ties marked the FA Trophy second qualifying round across the Isthmian League. Canvey Island produced the standout turnaround, coming from two goals down at half time against Cambridge City to win 3-2, despite being reduced to ten men late on. Mitchell May's flicked header deep into stoppage time settled it after Ernest Okoh and Jack Cawley had dragged the Gulls level.

Goals flowed freely elsewhere in the draw. Faversham Town put six past Horley Town, with Kane Haysman scoring twice and Jack Evans, Matt Newman and Josh Strouts also on target in a 6-2 win, while Newmarket Town beat Gorleston 5-2 with Callum Page named Player of the Match. Deal Town eased past Sheppey United 3-0 through Ben Chapman, Macca Murray and Rory Smith, a game that turned nasty for the Ites, who finished with nine men after using all their substitutes and losing both Dylan Adjei-Hersey and Mams Diallo to hamstring injuries late on.

Moneyfields needed penalties to see off Bristol Manor Farm, drawing 2-2 after Alfie Bridgman gave them an early lead and Lewis Beale later scored an equaliser before winning 8-7 on spot-kicks after Alfie Bridgman had his effort saved. New loan signing Josh McCormick, who arrived from Poole Town, scored in the shootout on his debut. Ashford United advanced thanks to a Zac Whitelock hat-trick, while Erith Town beat Eastbourne Town 2-0 and AFC Croydon Athletic thrashed a weakened Raynes Park Vale 3-0, with Daniel, Vint and Cundle among the scorers.

Not every fancied side progressed. Bognor Regis Town, unbeaten and top of their table after a 1-0 win at Raynes Park Vale thanks to Ethan Lindo, went out on penalties to Hastings United after a 1-1 draw, the shootout finishing 6-5. Walthamstow lost 2-1 away at Welwyn Garden City despite taking the lead through Joden Trickett, while AFC Stoneham, fresh from FA Cup heroics against Basingstoke Town, were beaten 4-0 at home by Didcot Town. Ascot United also exited, beaten 3-1 by Ashford United, with Lui Edwards among the scorers.

In league action, AFC Portchester beat Windsor & Eton 4-1 with goals from Jason Prior, Alfie Stanley, Spencer Spurway and Lee Wort, a game that also saw Josh Clack and Ryan Pennery both reach 100 appearances for the club. Cray Valley PM lost 4-1 at home to Broadbridge Heath, with Charlie Connell scoring twice, while Hartley Wintney came from two down to draw 2-2 with Hendon through late goals from Danilo Pereira and Joe Dyett.