Kwan Browne believes the possibility of playing in Europe can propel his side on a cup run.

East Grinstead moved into the last 16 of the HA Cup with a 3-2 win at Havant and they now face a home tie with Firebrands in round five on December 14.

For second division Grinstead to win English hockey's premier cup would be an almighty shock but player-coach Browne believes there is no harm in challenging his players to go for glory.

Browne, the Trinidad and Tobago international captain, said: "The winners of the cup go into a play-off for a chance to play in Europe.

"It is the best opportunity we will get to play in Europe. We are just three games away from that - that is way we have to look at it."

Browne knows a second division side are unlikely to lift the trophy but he wants Grinstead to be part of the upper echelons of English hockey and he knows the cup offers them a chance to prove themselves against higher league opposition.

Grinstead are currently second in National League division two and unbeaten in all competitions. They now face first division leaders Firebrands.

Browne said: "Firebrands are top of division one and on course for promotion to the premier division so this is a real test for us.

"It is the perfect timing for us because we are finally playing really well. It should be a good contest."

Grinstead went through with a 3-2 win over Havant which was more comfortable than the scoreline suggests.

They led 3-0 by the 40th minute thanks to another great individual goal from Mark Ansell plus efforts by Dwain Quanchan and Ben Payne. Havant, coached by former East Grinstead player-coach Ian Pattison, then scored twice in the last ten minutes.

Lewes went through 3-1 away to Barford Tigers and now face a trip to South Premier division one side Holcombe in the last 16.

Holcombe included former Lewes player Simon Owen in their squad but Lewes will be favourites to go through.

They produced a much improved display to beat Barford. Will Champness opened the scoring with a penalty flick after Danny Poulsen had been taken out and Bejay Ranger then scored twice to put Lewes in control.

Carl Wright's pace always caused the home side problems, skipper Ryan Standing had one of his best games of the season and stand-in goalkeeper Paul Coltham produced an assured display.

In the league on Saturday, Lewes had lost 4-2 at home to Bath Buccaneers in a match where indiscipline cost them dear.

Standing became the first of four players to be sin-binned when he received a yellow card after just three minutes. Alistair Boyse, Marnix Achterberg and Poulsen also had spells out of the action.

Bath opened the scoring a minute after Standing's temporary departure and they led 2-0 by the 29th minute.

Champness reduced the deficit before half time with a power strike from a short corner and the same player levelled matters two minutes into the second half, again from a short corner.

However, Bath stepped up a gear, using their numerical advantage to score twice more and take the points.

Despite the defeat, manager Paul Benoy took a number of positives from the weekend.

He said: "We showed a lot more passion and commitment. If we can start creating a few more chances it could be a very interesting second half of the season. There is a lot more self-belief now."

East Grinstead ran out 6-0 winners away to Hounslow and Ealing to remain a point behind leaders Old Georgians.

Richard Payne scored twice and Jo Payne also netted, meaning all three brothers got on the scoresheet over the weekend. Quanchan, Duncan Howarth and Ansell completed the tally.