BOWERS & Pitsea came from behind to beat Hullbridge Sports and progress to the second round of the League Challenge Cup.

Bowers beat their rivals 3-1 thanks to goals from Ashley Wackers-Kyriacou, Ross Adams and Tom Hine which turned the game on its head after former Bowers man Luke Hornsley had put the visitors ahead.

Sports, who were without captain Rob Hodgson and the influential Matt Brinklow, started the better of the sides and took the lead after only three minutes.

Hornsley was in the right place at the right time to score before Sam Taylor shot over the bar soon after.

Sports led at the break but they were pegged back two minutes into the second half.

Aaron Hunwicks was unable to clear after the ball got stuck between his feet and Wackers-Kyriacou stole in to shoot past Bobby Mason.

Hornsley should have doubled his lead when he shot over in a one-on-one situation and they were made to pay when Vinny Durrant’s cross was flicked on by Dan Brown to Adams who hammered home.

And the final goal of the night came after an error from Perry Dunn who, having attempted to keep the ball in play, could only feed a Bowers attacker and Hine tapped home.

Rob Small’s team will play Newham in Round Two.