Braintree 1 Margate 2

THE late dismissal of keeper Charlie Mitten took the gloss of Margate's 2-1 victory at Braintree in their FA Umbro Trophy fifth round replay last night.

Mitten and Braintree striker Tommy Noble were both sent off following a skirmish in the goal after David Culverhouse's injury-time consolation for the home side.

Braintree's David Cowan was also booked for his part in the incident, but in a frenetic finish the Gate deservedly hung on to clinch a quarter-final tie at home to Morecambe on Saturday, March 16.

After a goalless first half the Gate broke the deadlock in the 51st minute when midfielder Mark Munday stabbed home from close range after a corner.Ten minutes later it was 2-0 as Leon Braithwaite broke down the left before crossing for strike partner Akpo Sodje to shoot past home keeper Paul Catley.

Culverhouse's reply came with the game already in injury time, and even after the dismissals there was still time for one more twist as Braintree's Craig Davidson scythed Nick Roddis down in the box but Braithwaite blasted over the penalty. Davidson escaped without so much as a booking.