Smith saves Shrimpers
Jay Smith was the star of the show for The Shrimpers as his two goals, the second in the final minute of the match, sealed a dramatic passage into the second round of the cup.
Lee Boyland gave the hosts the lead at Park Lane after just ten minutes when he headed in Jeff Minton's free kick for his 18th goal of the season.
Tes Bramble poked in an equaliser on 22 minutes only for Minton to race clear a minute before half time and round the advancing Darryl Flahavan and slot the ball home from just outside the box.
Jay Smith stunned the hosts by grabbing a second equaliser inside a minute of the restart with a fine 25-yard strike that flew hard and low past Danny Potter in the Canvey net.
Mark Warren was then sent off by referee Trevor Kettle six minutes from time for his second bookable offence, but Southend showed guts and determination to grab a late, late winner.
With extra time looming large, the impressive Smith popped up to curl home a fine strike from the edge of the box to grab a dramatic winner for the Football League side and break the hearts of the brave Ryman Premier League outfit.
Port Vale emulated Southend by coming through a tough test with ten men to edge past Ford United 2-1 after extra time.
Billy Paynter gave the Division Two side the lead after 38 minutes and that looked like being enough to see them through to the second round.
However, there was more late drama as Vale substitute Ian Armstrong was quickly sent off in the final minute as an ongoing tussle with John O'Sullivan resulted in him receiving two yellow cards within three minutes and being ordered off for an early bath.
Vale looked to have done enough to see their way through but for Poole to grab a dramatic late equaliser on the stroke of full time as his left-footed free kick from the right curled straight into the back of the net to send the home crowd wild, and force the game into extra time.
The game looked to be set for a penalty shoot-out until the Ryman League side suffered FA Cup heartache as skipper Dean Chandler then put a header through his own net to dump the brave underdogs out of the competition in the cruellest possible way.
Vale's determination with a man less now sees them progress to the next round and face another non-league side in Scarborough.
