THERE was no lunchtime FA Cup shock at Hayes Lane this afternoon as Bromley went down to a 4-0 defeat at the hands of League One Colchester.

Bromley went into the game searching for their first ever victory against Football League opposition in the club’s history.

There was a major boost for the Lillywhites fans when it was revealed star striker Warren McBean had shaken off a hamstring injury which looked certain to rule him out for most of this week.

Donal O’Sullivan had a lucky escape in the third minute when his back pass hit the side-netting with Gareth I Williams beaten.

The resultant corner from Simon Hackney was swung in and Kayode Odejayi’s shot was headed off the line by Harrison Dunk, much to the relief of the home supporters.

Odejayi shook off the challenge of O’Sullivan three minutes later before lobbing a shot over Gareth I Williams, although fortunately for the Bromley keeper it sailed just over the bar.

Hackney’s 11th minute effort from the edge of the area failed to trouble the Bromley keeper, although Williams looked less assured moments later when he failed to gather John White’s cross into the danger zone.

Luke I’Anson’s 16th minute throw in caused some degree of panic in the Colchester defence but Bromley were unable to capitalise on the confusion.

McBean just failed to connect with Dunk’s 20th minute cross and Ben Williams dealt with the situation comfortably, while I’Anson had a half hearted penalty appeal ignored after going to ground too easily.

These were encouraging signs as the hosts at last began to ask some questions but they still looked some way short of causing an upset at the midway point of the first half.

Colchester made the breakthrough in the 32nd minute when Hackney was picked out unmarked inside the area by Odejayi before unleashing a stunning volley which gave Gareth I Williams no chance.

The visitors were in bullish mood three minutes later when Odejayi added a second by firing in a low shot from six yards and it was hard to argue the 2-0 score did not reflect their dominance.

Gareth I Williams did well to push away Mark Tierney’s dangerous left-wing cross as rampant Colchester went in search of a third.

Tutu Henriques made a crucial block to put Hackney’s 43rd minute strike behind for a corner and only a stunning stop from Gareth I Williams on the stroke of half-time kept out a super long range strike from David Fox.

McBean was replaced by Gareth A Williams at the start of the second half and the former Colchester player quickly tested Ben Williams with two 48th minute shots.

Substitute Marcus Cassius used his pace well to shake off Tierney on 57 minutes but his cross from the right failed to cause any problems for the visiting defence.

Gareth I Williams produced a simple enough stop to keep out Tierney’s low 63rd minute drive, while the Lillywhites had a lucky escape seconds later when nobody could get on the end of Phil Ifil’s dangerous cross.

Jacob Erskine’s 25-yard shot at the first attempt forced Ben Williams to get down low to gather but Colchester were out of sight on 71 minutes when Platt rose unmarked to head home Fox’s corner.

Ashley Carew tried his luck from long range two minutes later with a 35-yard strike, which was caught by Ben Williams.

Danny Baath’s crucial tackle just prevented Dunk connecting with Gareth A Williams’ pass inside the area.

Gareth I Williams produced the save of the game five minutes from time when he reacted quickly to push over John-Joe O’Toole’s bullet header.

But Colchester were not to be denied a fourth in the final minute when Fox’s cross was headed home by substitute Steven Gillespie.

And so comes to an end Bromley’s FA Cup run.

Ultimately, the gulf between the Blue Square South and League One was too far to bridge, although this was a welcome experience for the Lillywhites and a huge boost to the club’s coffers.

A sell out 4,242 all ticket crowd were packed into Hayes Lane today.

It would be naïve in the extreme to imagine all of them will be back for Bromley’s FA Trophy clash with Maidstone in a fortnight.

However, the Lillies will be hoping a sizeable fraction will make a return visit at some point this season as Mark Goldberg’s side battle to win promotion to the Conference National.

Bromley: G I Williams, Henriques (Dalhouse 81), Gillman, I’Anson, Dunk, Carew, Corneille, O’Sullivan, Dolby (Cassius 52), McBean (G A Williams 46), Erskine. Subs not used: Manning, Ibrahima, Greene, Kember. Att: 4,242.