BRIGHTLINGSEA REGENT bowed out of the FA Trophy after a 2-1 defeat at Harlow Town tonight.

Hawks striker Alex Read scored both of his side's goals – both after the break – to settle an entertaining second qualifying round replay.

Harry McDonald volleyed a brilliant consolation goal in stoppage time but it proved too little, too late.

Harlow now advance to a tie at Ryman League premier division rivals Havant and Waterlooville on Saturday.

The defeat was a blow for Regent, who went into the game on the back of a stunning 12-game unbeaten run and buoyed by Saturday’s 1-0 victory at Thurrock.

Both sides had chances in an even first half and Aaron Condon twice went close for Regent.

On the first occasion, he latched onto a clever, diagonal pass from George Doyle but his low effort from the left was stopped by keeper David Hughes.

Condon then turned and lashed an angled, left-volley volley inches over the bar.

Regent’s other chance of note fell to Phil Kelly, but his low shot from the right flashed inches wide of the far post.

Harlow went close, too.

Jared Small should have done better with a close-range header, from a left-wing cross, but his effort flew off target.

Mario Noto then unleashed a cross-shot from the left that cannoned back off the near post.

There was a major scare for Regent at the start of the second half but Jake Turner came to their rescue, clearing Read’s poked effort off the line after a Harlow corner.

However, it proved only a short-term reprieve as that man Read broke the deadlock on 61 minutes.

A Regent clearance deflected off Noto and fell kindly for the Hawks striker, who placed his shot across goal and beyond keeper Beeson.

Brightlingsea responded well and fashioned a golden chance when Condon pulled back a low right-wing cross to George Doyle.

However, the former Heybridge Swifts man saw his first-time effort saved by Hughes.

Regent had a mountain to climb and their task became much harder when Read scored again on 75 minutes.

A throw was flicked on by Fabian Simms and the Harlow striker was well-placed to send an unstoppable header past Beeson.

It so nearly became three when Simms burst through into a one-on-one position but his low effort was blocked by Beeson.

Regent: Beeson, Malton (Richardson 79), Jake Gould, Witherspoon, Josh Gould, Cripps, Pedulu (McDonald 77), Turner, Doyle, Kelly, Condon.

Unused subs: Bowles (gk), Baker, Taylor.

Harlow: Hughes, Pope, Eadie, Yiga, Sonko (Jones 82), Noto (Antoine 85), Small, Muguo, Read, Simms, Benjamin (Dickens 89).

Unused subs: Gordon, Thompson.

Referee: Darren Knox.

Attendance: 228.

Elsewhere tonight, Ryman League division north leaders MALDON AND TIPTREE put three more points on the board thanks to a crushing 6-1 victory at home to Phoenix Sports.

Liam Nash plundered five goals, including a penalty, after Sam Newson’s opener.

HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS continued their fine run of form with an impressive 2-1 victory at Bury Town.

Reece Grant and Nicholas Brown scored the all-important goals for Jody Brown’s side.

WITHAM TOWN bounced back from their weekend defeat at Heybridge with a 2-0 victory at Dereham Town.

Their goals were scored by Thomas Robinson and Tim Monsheju.