Herne Bay 1-2 Whitley Bay - We were the better side but we switched off for 10 seconds - Halsey

The Kent League leaders were by far the better side against their fifth-placed Northern League opponents, who were relieved to go in at the break on level terms and snatch victory at the death.

Whitley Bay grabbed the lead inside the opening three minutes of the second half through the impressive Paul Robinson, but Herne Bay refused to dwell on that set-back as central defender Tom Bryant slid in an equaliser just 230 seconds later.

Herne Bay pressed for the winner but to no avail but with extra time looming, record breaker Paul Chow - who scored the fasted FA Carlsberg Vase final goal after just 21 seconds against Wroxham in last year’s final - waited a little bit longer today, sweeping home a dramatic last-gasp winner with 48:50 on the clock to end Kent’s interest in this competition for another year.

A shell-shocked Halsey said afterwards, “Devastated mate, devastated.  It’s bad enough losing the game  but losing it in the manner we lost, we just switched off for ten seconds, just switched off.

“Most managers were preparing for extra time, we’ve just switched off.

“I’m proud of my players, the game should’ve been over at half-time though.  We’ve dominated the first half against the double holders and we should be in the hat.

“It’s another learning curve for us but I asked my players to play at seven’s and eights, every one of them, out of ten, and If I’m honest they most probably played at eight’s and nine’s to be honest.

“It’s another step in the right direction of where we’re going as a football team and as a football club.”

All the pre-match talk was about becoming a hero, but despite losing in such a cruel fashion, every Herne Bay player can be proud of themselves as they made Whitley Bay look ordinary.

In front of the club’ largest crowd of the season - 655 - Herne Bay were on the front foot during a dominant first half, although both keepers made flying saves to keep the score-line blank at the break.

Herne Bay had the first chance of a free-flowing half, midfielder Michael Jenner scuffing a right-footed free-kick past the post from 25-yards, after Stuart King’s shirt was tugged.

Whitley Bay swiftly attacked and right-wing back Craig McFarlane played a low pass forward for bald striker Lee Kerr to turn and send a right-footed shot over from 25-yards.

Visiting keeper Terry Burke was left flat-footed when King’s left-footed drive flashed agonisingly past the foot of the near post after Danny Lawrence centred from the right.

It was a good start by the Kent side, although Halsey asked his players to put the ball on the deck and play their impressive trade-mark slick football.

Darren Marsden pulled the strings in the middle of the park, although it was David Crofts turn to do so during the second half.

Marsden’s shot deflected wide when well placed and Lawrence cut a left-wing corner into his path and his right-footed chip was destined for the roof of the net before Burke plucked the ball out of the air from underneath his crossbar.

Whitley Bay skipper, Damon Robson centred from the left and David Pounder’s right-footed drive from a good central position some 25-yards from goal brought a comfortable low save out of Herne Bay stopper Dan Eason.

Burke made a diving save to his right to parry Marsden’s right-footed drive from 25-yards after 25 minutes of good football.

But a slip from Toby Ashmore gifted possession to Chow, who found Robinson with a low diagonal pass and his left-footed shot brought a fine save from the diving Eason.

Whitley Bay missed the half’s best chance after 33 minutes.

Eason’s kick-up field was met by a bullet header from central defender Darren Timmons (who rose higher than Herne Bay striker Luke Harvey) and a curling right-footed low shot from Robinson brought a fine low block from Eason and Chow skied the rebound over with his left-foot from close range.

Herne Bay could have broken the deadlock within a minute when Marsden brought a flying save out of Burke, and 74 seconds later, at the other end, Eason dived full-length to his left to deny Chris Fawcett with a fierce right-footed drive from 25-yards.

Nathan Eastwood, who passed a fitness test on a knock to his left ankle, set up a chance for Jenner, whose right-footed chip from 30-yards dropped down and was caught low down by visiting keeper Burke inside his six-yard box.

Burke made a better save when he dived to his right to prevent Jenner from giving Herne Bay a 40th minute advantage, before Whitley Bay striker Chow (with his back to goal) hooked the ball over his head and Robinson’s angled left-footed drive flashed just past the far post.

Whatever Whitley Bay manager Ian Chandler said to his players during the half-time interval obviously worked as his side grabbed an early second half lead.

The goal seemed to come out of nowhere as Robinson cracked a left-footed shot on the turn, which flashed across Eason and found the far corner of the Herne Bay net.

Halsey was trying to get someone to switch on the floodlights (as requested by the match officials) during the early stages of the second half and the next thing he knew his side were a goal down.

“You know what, I can’t bloody remember the thing,” he said.  “It just came out of nothing!

“But we should’ve been 2-0 up at half-time if we had taken half of our chances that we created.”

It was harsh on Herne Bay, but they didn’t dwell on that set-back and former Tonbridge Angels defender Bryant nipped in to score his third goal of the season at a crucial time.

Ashmore pumped a free-kick down the middle from inside his own half and skipper Harvey turned inside the box and was denied by low block from Burke and Ashmore slid in to poke the ball over the line from two-yards out.

When asked what he said to his players at the break, Halsey replied, “Just keep doing that, don’t try and do any more that you’ve done, just keep patient, keep plugging away and a goal will come.

“It took us to go one behind to get that goal but we didn’t start the second half brightly, that’s when they had their 15-17 minute spell.”

Herne Bay were winning their battles and David Crofts challenged Kerr on the edge of the penalty area and Chow’s right-footed dink was palmed away by Eason in the 56th minute.

McFarlane floated another cross into the penalty area from the left and Chow rose to glance a header towards the far corner, but Eason was there to pluck the ball out of the air.

Halsey threw on eight-goal striker Byron Walker into the action with thirteen minutes left to add pace to the Herne Bay attack and the Kent side attacked down the hill for the remainder of the game.

Harvey’s shot on the turn - with only four minutes to go - was saved by the Whitley Bay keeper, before Whitley Bay brought the very best out of Eason with 47:40 on the clock.

Burke’s kick up field was flicked on by Kerr and sent Robinson through on goal down the middle of the pitch, but he was denied by an stunning save by the advancing Eason, tipping the rasping drive around his post.

Halsey added: “Great save!  That’s what he’s about.  Dan’s come out and does what he does, he does it week in week out.”

The board for a minimum of three minutes was raised by fourth official Ron Albert 53 seconds into stoppage time.  Had referee Jake Hillier blown up after 48 minutes, then the game would have gone into extra time and Herne Bay might have been in Monday’s fifth round draw.

But you felt sick in the stomach and wanting to shed a tear for Herne Bay, as Whitley Bay completed a smash-and-grab raid with a cruel winner.

Herne Bay switched off for the only time of the game, allowing Robinson to play the ball across the penalty area for the unmarked Chow, (Steve Hanson and Ashmore went missing for the first time) who swept a left-footed shot across Eason to find the bottom far corner to send Whitley Bay into the last sixteen.

Halsey added: “You can’t switch off, you can’t switch off for 10 seconds in any game and we’ve done that!”

The truth is, the better team on the day, lost!

Halsey, like everyone else, agreed, saying, “Without a doubt!  Without a shadow of a doubt!  We was the better team! They had their spell in the second half - don’t get me wrong they had their spell in the second half for about 15-17 minutes - and then we got a grip on the game after that and they scored, they’ve gone in front ahead of play and we’ve done well to get straight back into the game.

“We’ve done well to get straight back into the game through Tom Bryant and I thought once we grabbed it by the scruff of the neck second half I thought there was going to be one winner, one winner, but that’s what happens when you’re playing against good sides.”

A crestfallen Halsey added: “I didn’t think much of Whitley Bay, footballing wise, but I know their front two were dangerous, there’s no question about that!”

Today was a day for Herne Bay heroes.  But despite their cruel defeat, Herne Bay can be proud of themselves.

“They were all great!” added Halsey.  “I thought David Crofts was outstanding today in the centre of midfield as my holding player, absolutely outstanding, but they were a great credit to Herne Bay Football Club.”

It’s back down to earth on Wednesday when holders Herne Bay welcome former tenants Norton Sports in the Kent League Cup Quarter-Final First Leg.

Halsey said: “I’ve just said to them, I’ve just had a chat with them and Bang! Cut it off!  That’ the end of the Vase now.  Norton Sports is our next important game and we’ll be relentless now, as we are every game.

“A couple of people now are saying we’ve lost two in a row.  This is a little Cup expedition we’re on now.  I’d rather be losing these games than league games because the league is now.  We’re back in league action on Saturday against Erith Town and that’s what it’s all about.

“It didn’t happen, it’s over and now we’re back to reality.  We’ve all had that little bit in the week of talking to the papers and the websites and stuff.  It’s over!  It’s back to grass roots football now.”

A proud Halsey insists he will pick his heroes up, saying: “The players are disappointed but I won’t leave them disappointed for long.  I said to them if anyone can stand up and didn’t give me everything you did today then I’ll have words with you but they gave me everything.  I’m pleased for Herne Bay Football Club.

“That’s why Whitley Bay are a good side, they find thing when the game’s killed and going into extra time.  Bang! They pop up, they’re two strikers are great!”

Herne Bay: Dan Eason, Michael Jenner, Toby Ashmore, Tom Bryant, Steve Hanson, David Crofts, Danny Lawrence (Rhys Lawson 70), Darren Marsden, Stuart King (Byron Walker 77), Luke Harvey, Nathan Eastwood.

Subs: Ben Brown, Simon Brown, James Turner.

Goal: Tom Bryant 52

Booked: Darren Marsden 50

Whitley Bay: Terry Burke, Craig McFarlane, David Pounder (Gary Ormston 57), Callum Anderson, Darren Timmons (Brian Smith 87), Gareth Williams, Chris Fawcett, Damon Robson, Lee Kerr, Paul Chow, Paul Robinson.

Subs: Brian Rowe, Steve Gibson, Kyle Hayes.

Goals: Paul Robinson 48, Paul Chow 90

Booked: Callum Anderson 60, Gary Ormstron 90

Attendance: 655

Referee: Mr Jake Hillier (Barnet, Hertfordshire)

Assistants: Mr Tim Hatt (Redhill, Surrey) & Mr Nick Brown (Redhill, Surrey)

Fourth Official: Mr Ron Albert (Catford, London SE6)