Report by Colin Rogers and Terry Francis

There was a whirlwind start to the first half with Harwich having the ball in the net in the 3rd minute when Danny Garrad headed in Luke Mayhew's cross only to see the assistant referee's flag raised and 2 minutes later Rayleigh's dangerous striker Ishmeal Fiadzomor gave the visitors the lead with a neat, side-footed finish at the near post.
Midway through the half, Shrimpers keeper Brad Cook prevented what looked a certain goal when he saved with his feet and then at the other end Mayhew had a chance but blasted his shot over the crossbar.
Rayleigh came close again before half time when Fiadzomor's shot went inches wide.
Ten minutes after the restart, Harwich equalised when Mayhew weaved his way through to score a well-taken goal.
Harwich joy was short lived because within seconds, with the Shrimpers' defence at sixes and sevens, Cook came out for the ball to go over his head for Fiadzomor to inch in front of defender Will Crisell and head over the goal-line.

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On the hour it was 2-2 when a mix up in the Rayleigh defence was pounced on by Mayhew for recent signing Louie Bloom to net his first goal for Harwich.
With the blustery wind and ball bouncing awkwardly, defences were under pressure and Shrimpers goal ace Mayhew was so quick to take advantage of panic within the Rayleigh defence and give Harwich the lead for the first time. It was his 50th goal for the club in his 90th appearance and took him into double figures for the season.
The Harwich defence fared no better though and were all over the place when Pat Mills levelled the scores at 3-3 ith another goal-line header.
There were 20 minutes remaining when Joe Knight restored Harwich lead with a cracking goal, rocketing an unstoppable shot into the net from 25 yards.
Crosses and corner kicks were proving a nightmare for the Harwich defence but Cook did do well catch a dangerous high ball. However, with 5 minutes of normal time left he called for but failed reach the ball and Rob Hodgson headed Rayleigh back on terms.
There was a lengthy period of added time during which Harwich pressed for a winner and Mayhew went close with a free kick that goalkeeper Henry Noakes somehow managed to palm up for a defender head off the line.
During a dramatic penalty shoot-out, both keepers managed one save in the initial five penalties and in sudden death Rayleigh edged through 7-6 to go into the hat for the next round.
Harwich team: Brad Cook, Alfie Eldridge, Will Crisell, Charlie Canham, Harry Tuck, Alfie Smith, Bradley James, Idreess Namisi, Danny Garrad, Luke Mayhew and Louie Bloom. Substitutes: Greg Rodger, Joe Knight, Dan Keeble, Tyler Sullivan and Liam White (all used).

Harwich and Parkeston

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