Two goals from Ira Jackson ensured Sittingbourne won their FA Cup preliminary round derby on Saturday.

The final scoreline was harsh on Bearsted who more than matched their Bostik South East hosts.

But it was Jackson's quality in front of goal which proved decisive in the end.

Sittingbourne started brightly as Bola Dawodu shot over after Tommie Fagg's effort was blocked.

Bearsted got the ball down and played some neat football at times, a long free-kick fell nicely for David Baranowski but his low shot went inches wide of the upright from the edge of the box.

The pace of the Brickies forwards caused problems behind Bearsted's backline, and it proved to be their best form of attack.

Dawodu was sent clean through as the offside flag somehow stayed down but Scott Andrews saved smartly with his legs as the striker tried to go round him.

Sittingbourne did go ahead on 23 minutes. The flag stayed down again and Dawodu unselfishly squared for Jackson to score into an empty net.

Bearsted, with three league defeats out of three to their name, refused to throw the towel in.

They created several good openings but just lacked sufficient quality in the final third to seriously test keeper Patrick Lee.

Chances were harder to come by for both sides after the break.

Dawodu had the ball in the net from a long throw-in but referee Matthew Pollington had already blown for a foul.

The first half was played in glorious sunshine but that was replaced by heavy rain after the break. The quality of the game also faded in similar fashion.

Keeper Andrews beat away Dan Parkinson's effort late on and Jackson fired wide while Bearsted, for all their impressive build-up play, never forced Lee into a save at the other end.

The tie was finally decided three minutes from time when Bearsted were caught on the counter. One ball fed Jackson clear and he finished low beyond keeper Andrews.

Sittingbourne: Lee, Dorling, Crimmen, Parkinson, Allan, Webber, Jackson, Chambers, Dawodu (Caney-Bryan 87mins), Fagg (McFarlane 71mins), Loynes (Adebayo 71mins). Subs not used: Lofting, Hatfull, Orenuga, Brooks.

Bearsted: S Andrews, Hammond, Croucher, Foster (Hathway 84mins), G Andrews, Garner, Flisher, Croucher (Rogers 84mins), Williams (Sellens 84mins), Baranowski, Collins. Subs not used: Allen, Lyall, Weller.

Attendance: 204.