A second-half comeback from Bognor Regis saw the Isthmian League Premier side knock Weston out of the Izusu FA Trophy by a 2-1 scoreline.
The Seagulls made a fast start to the game by scoring six minutes into the encounter when James Dodd won the ball with an interception as the visitors tried to play out from the back, in turn releasing Elis Watts through on goal who calmly slotted past keeper Toby Steward when one-on-one to break the deadlock.
Bognor were stifled to creating their chances from set-pieces within the first period, Tom Bragg and James Crane both heading Sam De St Croix corners over the crossbar from inside the area. Jordan Bastin then had a shot deflect behind for a corner as he drove into the area.
Weston had a chance in first-half added time to double their advantage when Watts broke into space down the left-hand side of the box, his effort across goal being pushed away by Steward. Following up was winger Jay Murray, whose cross-shot back across goal just evaded striker Ben Griffith for a tap-in.
In the second half, Murray and Jason Pope both had shots from long range either go wide or over the crossbar, while down the other end, Max Harris was called into action to palm away a close-range Nathan Odokonyero header as he met an inswinging Crane cross. Odokonyero then had a chance on the half-turn from 18 yards, his shot smacking off of Harris’ bar and dropping behind for a goal-kick.
Bognor were to equalise 18 minutes from time when Alfie Bridgman got the ball on the right of the visiting attack and drove a low cross into the box, Odokonyero getting across his man and flicking an attempt into the corner past the outstretched foot of Harris for 1-1.
A second for Bognor and their No.9 was to follow just five minutes later when substitute Bradley Lethbridge got down the left-hand side and crossed into the centre, Odokonyero finding himself free six yards out to glance a header into the far corner to turn the tie in his side’s favour.
Weston manager Scott Bartlett threw his final roll of the dice by bringing on Sam Avery, pushing Lloyd Humphries into midfield. Captain for the day Humphries had a shot from 20 yards held by Steward after evading his man, while Scott Laird had a deflected cross-shot hit the crossbar and bounce away for a corner.
Humphries and Pope also had attempts from long-range swerve just wide of the target as Bognor held on to secure a place in the Second Round of the FA Trophy.
FT: Weston 1-2 Bognor Regis (Watts 6 – Odokonyero 72, 77)
Attendance: 400.
Weston XI: Harris, Jones, Laird, Jagger-Cane, Humphries (C), Pope, Murray (Avery 79), Dodd, Griffith (Reid 63), Watts (Grubb 63), Bastin. Unused substitute: Purnell.
MOTM: James Dodd.