HARTLEY Wintney's proud record of causing upsets in the FA Cup continued on Saturday, when they beat Merthyr Town to progress to the third qualifying round of this year's competition.

Zac Horkan got the only goal of the game with 65 minutes on the clock, his deflected strike beating the home goalkeeper at his near post to put the visitors through.

The draw for the next round was made earlier today, with Hartley of the Combined Counties League Premier Division handed a trip to National League South outfit Eastbourne Borough.

Hartley made a good start to the game away at Southern League Premier Division Merthyr and were inches away from taking the lead when Ross Cook hit the post after being played through.

Merthyr also tested the woodwork in the first half, with a shot hitting the crossbar, but there was nothing to separate the sides at the break.

Hartley managed to break the deadlock midway through the second half. Good work from Cook led to a scramble in the Merthyr area and Horkan was on hand to fire home.

Steven Duff hit the angle of post and crossbar from a free-kick as the visitors looked to make the game safe, while Merthyr hit the post in the closing stages, but Hartley held on to reach the next round.

Hartley manager Daniel Brownlie said: "To beat a side like Merthyr is fantastic and we are all over the moon.

"I do not think I have ever received so much support, not only from inside the club, but from everywhere. It's been really good for the club.

"It would have been nice to get a home draw in the next round, but it will be a good away day for us. It will certainly be a big test and could be our final, in that we may just tell the players to go out, enjoy it and see what happens."

Having got through in the cup, Hartley must now refocus on their league campaign. The village side will be looking to maintain their 100 per cent start to the season with a victory over league leaders Ashford Town (Middlesex) tomorrow night.