GRAVESEND & Northfleet paid the price for letting slip a 2-0 lead against Weston-Super-Mare two weeks ago at Stonebridge Road when they were bundled out of the FA Trophy in Tuesday’s third round replay.

Fleet's hopes of any cup success this season ended in the 87th minute when Luke Corbett lashed the ball high into the net past goalkeeper Alex O’Reilly after substitute Bradley Thomas had broken up a Fleet move in midfield.

Not for the first time this season, the Fleet were caught napping in the closing minutes of a game. Weston had won the right to a replay thanks to Paul Hunt’s last minute equaliser.

Afterwards manager Andy Ford conceded: “We let too many goals in the last five minutes. Whether it’s concentration or fitness, it’s something we’ve got to sort out. I'm disappointed that we’ve gone out because we had enough chances tonight.”

Fleet controlled much of the second half against their Dr Marten’s League, Premier Division strugglers but were unable to find a way past Weston goalkeeper Stuart Jones.

Fleet survived an early scare when Dave Gilroy hit a post when it looked easier to score, following a mistake by O’Reilly, deputising for the injured first choice Paul Wilkerson who dislocated a finger in Saturday’s win against Halifax.

Then former West Ham and Celtic winger Stuart Slater broke away only to fire against the legs of O’Reilly.

Corbett, who made no secret of his anger at being substituted in the first game, stressed the point with an outstanding performance.

He split the Fleet defence to play in Gilroy whose shot was blocked by Matt Lee. Then Matthew Rose shot over the bar when well placed after Corbett played him in before Corbett had the last word.

Weston now meet FA Cup giant-killers Telford in the fourth round on January 31.