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Dartford 1 Bromley 2

Dartford v Truro
Dartford v Truro

Bromley booked a prized place in the FA Cup first round as they beat fellow Kent side Dartford 2-1 at Princes Park.

Hakeem Araba's first-half penalty and Gareth Williams' free-kick saw Mark Goldberg's side take the honours from a lively fourth qualifying round tie.

Araba fired the visitors ahead from the penalty spot on 27 minutes after Williams was brought down by in the area by Paul Goodacre.

But, Jack Pallen equalised less than three minutes later when he latched on to Danny Harris' cross to make it 1-1.

A crowd of more than 1,500 were treated to equally entertaining second half and the game arguably hinged on a penalty miss for Dartford's Ryan Hayes on 55 minutes.

Bromley's Marlon Patterson had felled Hayes in the area, but the Darts midfielder spurned the opportunity to put them ahead, skewing wide from 12 yards.

Bromley grew in confidence and the tie was ultimately sealed on 76 minutes. Williams stepped up with a free-kick on the edge of the area, which he bent around wall after Warren McBean had been upended.

Lillywhites boss Mark Goldberg was thrilled with the result and the prospect of a big name in the first round draw.

He said: "Dartford were always in the game and it was a fast-flowing, pretty even game.

"You always felt a goal could come, but the belief was there. We started brightly, but conceded a little too soon after for my liking.

"But, at half time we felt we were very much in the game, we got fortunate when the penalty was missed and then the momentum was with us.

"That miss really lifted us as it came against the run of play. From then on, we got hold of the ball from and learnt how to beat them and get around the back."

Dartford boss Tony Burman admitted the rub of the green wasn't quite with his side.

He added: "We've had the chances, but the penalty miss definitely lifted them.

"If that had gone in, it would have given us a lot of heart and maybe given us the chance to go on and win.

"We had control at 1-1, but it'll go down as a tale of two penalties in the end."

Caption: Dartford's Ryan Hayes, whose missed penalty was a pivotal moment in the game.

Where you at the game? Did it live up to the magic of the FA Cup? Tell us your thoughts by leaving a comment below.

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