Hat-trick hero Rob Collins stole the show as Crawley progressed to the second round of the Dr Martens League Cup with a 3-1 win over Chatham.

The delighted youngster said: "It was a really great feeling to score the hat-trick and it sets us up nicely for Saturday's big league game against Havant and Waterlooville."

Crawley did suffer a shock first half blow when their eastern division opponents took a surprise lead when Steven Best volleyed home in the 25th minute after confusion in the home defence.

Reds boss Billy Smith welcomed back winger Nigel Brake after a lengthy spell on the side lines and he showed glimpses of the electrifying pace.

But there was not such good news for returning skipper Luke Anderson. After returning to the squad following an ankle ligament injury, he left the action after just 25 minutes with a recurrence of the same problem.

Ben Judge wasted two good opportunities after the break before Reds finally got back on terms.

Judge's superb long ball sent Collins clear to neatly nick the ball past the keeper Fenell for a 59th minute equaliser.

Judge went close again before Collins struck his second of the game five minutes from time.

Stewart Holmes' long clearance saw Collins race on and beat Cliff Hearn for pace before slotting neatly beyond Fenell.

Two minutes into injury time Judge saw a shot blocked but Collins snapped up the loose ball to fire homehis hat-trick goal.

Hastings Town reached the second round after an entertaining 3-1 extra time win over Dartford.

A double blast from Steve Yates on 94 and 119 minutes settled a tie that boasted numerous chances, three penalties and a sending off.

Yates' first came after good work by Chris Honey and his second was a clinical finish into the far corner.

Dartford, who had Tom Ablington dismissed in the second period of extra time, wasted the chance to make it 2-2 when Roy Godden missed from the penalty spot.

Hastings took the lead on 39 minutes when Danny Simmonds converted a penalty awarded for a contentious handball.

Dartford came more into the game in the second half and Godden equalised with a diving header on 66 minutes.

Hastings were awarded a second penalty four minutes from the end of normal time but Simmonds shot struct the post.

St Leonards came back from Saturday's heavy league defeat with a spirited performance in a 4-2 defeat at Burnham in their Dr Martens League Cup first round tie.

They twice held the lead but were undone by a four goals spell in 11 minutes early in the second half.

Saints took the lead through Des Boteng after 15 minutes and held out until the hour when Jon Norris nodded Burnham level from a corner. Five minutes later Saints restored their lead through Tony Reid.

Norris then struck again twice in three minutes to put the home side ahead for the first time and Saints were undone chasing the equaliser on 71 minutes when Nicky Campbell ran through unchallenged to make it 4-2.

Eastbourne Borough moved into the second round after a pulsating 3-1 extra time win over Fisher Athletic.

Garry Wilson's men were trailing for the lions share of the game and it was only a 90th minute goal from Nathan Godden that saved them from elimination.

Borough fell behind in the eighth minute when Ray Powell was left with a simple tap-in after Tosteo Kwashi's shot had been partially saved by Dean Lightwood.

Fisher threatened to score a second before the interval but it was a different story in the second half as Borough tore the Fisher defence apart.

John Westcott was the big danger on the right but his work looked as if it would be wasted until Godden rose to head in Matt Crabb's free kick in at the far post.

Five minutes into extra time Matt Allen got the faintest of touches on a Ben Austin shot that put Borough ahead.

Allen netted his second in the 112th minute after Crabb's shot had been parried by the keeper.

THE misery continued for Saltdean last night after they suffered another heavy defeat, this time at home to Ringmer in the second round of the RUR Cup.

Goals from Spencer Mears, Glen Davies (penalty), Jason Reid and Tony Holden earned Ringmer a 4-0 win. The Tigers have conceded 27 goals in four games.

First division Selsey won 2-1 at Division Two leaders Shoreham in a third round tie. Lee Stevens' first half brace put Selsey in control before Darren Annis pulled one back with 15 minutes to go.

In the third round of the John O'Hara League Cup goals from Russell Harwood and Davis earned Horsham YMCA an excellent 2-0 success at Peacehaven.

In the first division Arundel ran out 3-0 winners at Chichester City United to climb into fifth place. Jason Wimbleton (2) and Nick West were the Mullets' marksmen.

The top two in the league met in the second round of the Floodlight Cup and a crowd of over 300 saw Burgess Hill win 2-0 at Three Bridges thanks to goals from Tim Brown and Phil Churchill.