Hastings Town, from the Dr Martens eastern division, scored a comfortable 3-0 win at home to County League Ringmer.

Central defender Stuart Playford said: "We overplayed it a bit too much. But we're in the hat for the next round and have another home tie."

Hastings went in front after three minutes when Duncan McArthur curled a free-kick beyond 16-year-old reserve goalkeeper Sam Figg.

Poor finishing and dogged defending meant Ringmer were still in the match until midway through the second half when Hastings doubled their lead through Paul Ruddy and three minutes from time Paul Jones lobbed Figg. In between the last two goals, Ringmer were reduced to ten men when substitute Stuart Corlett was red carded for a rash tackle from behind on Danny Simmonds.

Eastbourne Borough made hard work of reaching the first qualifying round in a 3-1 home win over Wessex League oufit Whitchurch United.

They raced into a 2-0 lead inside eight minutes, then took their foot off the pedal before securing a home tie against Ryman division one side Whyteleafe.

Borough boss Garry Wilson said: "I've seen it all before. We got off to a great start and then it became all too easy and the shape of the side disappeared until we could sort things out at half time."

They went ahead after four minutes when Clinton More nodded in Dave Adams' cross from the left. In the eighth minute, John Westcott scored the second, drawing goalkeeper Paul Cann before slotting home.

Steve Caswell pulled one back in the 20th minute.

Borough lost their way, although the introduction of Liam Barham and Paul Stevens for Steve Willard and Matt Crabb improved things in the second half.

Only fine saves from Cann prevented more Borough goals. But he could do nothing about an 81st-minute tap-in from Adams.

St Leonards, revitalised under Micky Taylor, won 2-0 at high-riding Kent League side Herne Bay.

Saints took the lead after ten minutes when Tony Reid headed home a Simon Fox cross.

They completed their scoring four minutes after the break when Reid crashed home his second goal. Saints now meet Southampton side BAT Sports on September 16.

Saints entertain Eastbourne Town in the Sussex Floodlight Cup tonight (k.o. 7.30pm).

An impressive display from Horsham saw them beat Ryman division one side Dulwich Hamlet 2-0 at Queen Street in the preliminary round.

The Hornets, from division two, dominated the first half and opened the scoring after 26 minutes when Gary Charman netted from 12 yards after good approach work by Luke Gedling and Marcel Dennis.

Goalkeeper James Mercer kept Dulwich in the game two minutes later with a brilliant close range save from Charman.

But he was left helpless in the 32nd minute when Dennis drove home after a pass from Charman.

Manager John Maggs said: "I'm thrilled. In the first half we were excellent and in the second we were disciplined."

Division two Lewes started their Cup trail with a 3-0 at home to Slough Town, a division higher.

Lewes took the lead on nine minutes when a corner was nodded back by Stuart Hack and Sam Francis headed home.

Rooks made the game safe on 80 minutes when a cross by Justin Harris was turned into his own net by Steve Stott.

Four minutes later the scoring was completed by Francis.

Bognor eased through their preliminary tie at Abingdon with a 3-1 win.

But the Ryman division one side walked into criticism from skipper Michael Birmingham.

He said: "It's embarrassing the number of chances we missed."

Bognor took the lead in the tenth minute when Kevin Murphy found Matt Russell who drove home.

Within a minute Bognor were two up when Jamie Howell found Simon Funnell to chip Mick Torress.

David Wright made it 3-0 in the 38th minute.

Worthing had striker Marc Rice sent off in stoppage time as they lost 3-2 at Thame United.

Striker Rice saw red along with Thame's Neil Greig for an off-the-ball incident.

Wayne Court headed Thame in front and Mark West doubled the lead in the 18th minute.

Stuart Tuck made it 2-1 by firing home from the edge of the area.

Court promptly restored Thame's two-goal advantage in first half stoppage time by side-footing home a free kick by Lee.

Damian Webber gave Worthing hopeten minutes after the break.