EAST Thurrock United maintained their unbeaten start to the season by booking their place in the third qualifying round of the FA Cup.

John Coventry’s side travelled to Biggleswade Town off the back of securing a 2-1 win at Chelmsford City on Monday.

And the Rocks were able to book their place in the next round of the competition thanks to a solitary goal from Sam Higgins.

Biggleswade looked to make home advantage count and pull off what Coventry described before the game as a ‘giant-killing’.

And with former Arsenal trainee Gavin Hoyte and ex-Dagenham & Redbridge winger Graeme Montgomery in their starting line-up, the home side were hoping to be stable at the back and cause problems going forward.

Connor Hall’s first half header forced Lukas Lidakevicius into a save as the first half remained goalless.

Rocks went ahead on the hour mark as Higgins found the back of the net.

And although Biggleswade pushed for an equaliser, which would have forced a replay at the FutureFuel Stadium, Coventry’s side were able to repel the home side’s attacks and East Thurrock will be in the draw for the next round.

East Thurrock United: Lidakevicius, Sammons, Harris, Allen, Ekpiteta, White, Brown, Cornhill, Higgins, Smith, Agyemang