However, it took forty minutes and a stroke of luck to break the deadlock ? the keeper failed to claim a near post corner and the ball dropped over the line ? Scott Honeyball claimed the goal.

Steve Callinan made it two soon afterwards, firing home the rebound after Wotton's shot was blocked. Wotton's celebrations were so enthusiastic that many supporters assumed he must have scored it.

After the break Herne Bay pushed forward in an attempt to get back into the game, and United capitalised on the resultant gaps in their defence.

Callinan ran from his own half to score his second with an exquisite chip over the keeper, and soon afterwards Donnelly's cross was headed home by Grieves to make it 4-0.

Callinan completed his hat-trick ten minutes from time with a well placed shot.