Bromley eased their way to a fourth qualifying round FA Cup tie with a comprehensive 5-0 victory over Grays Athletic at a very wet Hayes Lane.

But the scoreline does not do justice to the hard working Grays Athletic side, who had a greater share of the possession throughout.

It was the visitors who opened strongly, with Joao Carlos testing keeper Seb Brown in the first minute before the left winger’s penetrating cross was saved by Brown at the foot of the post.

Joseph Zerafa drilled a shot just wide of the upright moments later.

However, Bromley opened the scoring on 19 minutes when Reece Prestedge headed home from eight yards after meeting Louis Dennis’s corner. 

The goal seemed to settle the hosts down and Jordan Robertson and Dennis both had efforts saved by Grays keeper Conor Gough before the Ravens doubled their lead on 33 minutes.

Ali Fuseini put Pierre Joseph-Dubois clear and, as the winger rounded Gough, he was unceremoniously brought down by the keeper. 

The referee immediately pointed to the spot, but to everybody’s amazement let the keeper off with a few words instead of a red card. 

Robertson stepped up to blast the spot-kick past Gough for his third goal in four appearances. 

Fuseini skimmed the crossbar with a 30 yard effort after being set up by Prestedge on 35 minutes.

Grays might have reduced the arrears as half time approached, as Brown saved from Carlos at the second attempt, and Freddie Ladapo’s hooked shot was cleared off the line by Danny Waldren. 

The visitors opened the second half as they did the first with Carlos’ effort being deflected over.

From the resultant corner Jay Leader headed wide when well placed.

Brown kept Bromley’s two-goal lead in tact as the keeper spread himself to block Ladapo after the striker had been put clear on goal with a brilliant through ball from Zerafa.

The home side increased their lead on 58 minutes as Adam Bailey-Dennis headed home Waldren’s cross from six yards.

They went close again when Joseph-Dubois stabbed Robertson’s cross agonisingly past the post.

Grays substitute Chris Bryant brought the best out of Brown as his rasping drive from the edge of the area was brilliantly tipped around the post by the Bromley keeper.

However, one minute later Bromley put the game beyond doubt with a fourth goal.

Dennis cut into the area before laying the ball back to Duncan Culley, who bundled the it home via the keeper from close range.

Bromley completed the scoring on 73 minutes.

Dennis cut in from the right and curled a stunning shot out of the reach of Gough and into the top corner from 28 yards.

The visitors had a chance to reduce the arrears after Fuseini was adjudged to have fouled Ladapo in the area.

But Brown – diving to his left – saved Ladapo’s spot-kick to deny the striker his 10th goal of the season.  And the goalkeeper did well to deny Carlos again minutes later. 

Bromley now travel to Worcestershire to take on Southern League South & West side Evesham United in the final qualifying round on Saturday week.

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Bromley: Brown, Udoji, Anderson, Fuseini (Grant 77), Waldren, Bailey-Dennis, Joseph-Dubois, Prestedge, Robertson (Birchall 65), Ademola (Culley 65), Dennis. Subs not used: Swaine, Agu. Gate: 455