MATCH-WINNER Josh Mayhew admitted he had only one thing on his mind as he fired Brantham into the last 32 of the FA Vase on Saturday.

The striker, who has now scored five goals in three FA Vase ties this season, received a pass from Ben Deacon on the right-hand side of the box and beat a defender before crashing home the 87th minute decider.

Mayhew, who netted an injury-time winner against Cambridge University Press in the previous round, said: “When I got the ball I saw the space and thought I have got to shoot here and I struck it well.”

The former Hadleigh United and Woodbridge Town striker added: “In the past I have tended to be knocked out in the first round, so it is nice to still be in the competition and have something to play for.

“I don’t mind who we get in the next round – anyone at home will do me.”

Brantham manager Tony Hall heaped praise on beaten opponents Brighltingsea, who play in Division One of the Thurlow Nunn League, one step below Brantham.

He said: “All credit to Brightlingsea. They have got good players, were well organised and worked hard.

“We were favourites to win the game, but they gave us a really good game.

“Our lads deserve praise as well as Brightlingsea twice looked as though they were in the ascendency, but we worked hard to get back into it.

“Josh Mayhew switches off at times and then he can produce ‘worldys’ like the winner today.”

Hall, who confirmed after the match that summer signing and former captain Michael Brothers has re-signed for Ryman League Premier Division side Leiston for a small fee, added: “We’re now in the last 32 and I will take that all day long.”

Brightlingsea chairman Terry Doherty said: “I thought the penalty changed the game because we had gone ahead and they equalised, gone ahead again and they equalised again, and the penalty took the wind out of our sails a little bit.

“But our players did themselves proud and matched Brantham throughout the game.”

Full reaction to today’s Fourth Round Proper draw from both Brantham boss Tony Hall and Hadleigh United manager Stuart Crawford in Tuesday’s EADT and Ipswich Star.