BASILDON Town won through to the first round proper of the FA Vase - and a guaranteed prize of at least £1,000, with a penalty shoot-out win against FC Clacton at the weekend.

The nerve-tingling drama was played out at Rookery Hill, Corringham, and victory has earned Basildon an away tie in the First Round proper against Essex Senior League side Buckhurst Hill.

Saturday's match ended goalless but Town came through 4-3 on penalties against a higher ranked team in the non-League pyramid, who also play in the Essex Senior League. The win was worth £750 and there is a guaranteed £250 as losers in the next round, but Town will be aiming to take the £850 on offer for a win!

Saturday's match started with Clacton in the ascendancy and they forced two good saves from Town's keeper Matt Knight and a number of other opportunities which they failed to convert. After 20 minutes the game became more even, with neither side creating any real chances.

Late on in the half though Rhys Fatt for Town almost scored when he lobbed Clacton's keeper but the ball went agonisingly over the bar.

The second half started in similar fashion to the end of the first.

However, in the last 15 minutes it was Town who had the better of things with Marcus Bowers firing narrowly wide and Jamie Bradbourn heading onto the bar with the keeper beaten.

But it remained level and penalties followed.

The first penalties were both well taken but Town's second one was well saved but Clacton failed to take advantage when Knight pulled off a great save. Basildon then went in front 2-1 but Clacton's next was ballooned over the bar. The next two were dispatched into the corner of the net which meant that it fell to Bradleigh Rowland to take what was the winning penalty which he did with aplomb.

So in a scrappy game of contrasting styles it was Town who move into the next round, just about deservedly on chances created.

Town are quickly back in action with a trip in the Thameside Trophy to Barkingside on Wednesday.