Although they ply their trade at Step 6, Kent Football United are one of those sides in the division below with a playing budget - so Tunbridge Wells were fully aware that the fact they would be hosting a Kent Invicta League side at Culverden in this years rejuvinated Kent Senior Trophy would not make the outcome a foregone conclusion. Among the players turning out for the visitors was Elstrom Die (who spent a brief time at Culverden) was Alex Tiesse who broke Tunbridge Wells hearts two years ago in the Final of this competition, scoring twice on that occasion for Erith Town.

The home crowd may well have been asking themselves whether the same player would be the source of more heartache when he netted for Kent Football United after 28 minutes to hand his side the lead. Within seven minutes the Step 6 outfit had doubled their lead thanks to Tolu Popoola, and will have gone in at the break pretty happy with proceedings.

Presumably Tunbridge Wells were not only sent out in the second period with alarm bells ringing in their ears, but some words of wisdom from the management team, because within six minutes Jack Harris had pulled a goal back.

Plenty of endeavor followed and Tunbridge Wells could have levelled from the penalty spot, but Andy McMath had his kick saved by the visiting goal keeper. Although Kent Football United posed a threat going forward, The Wells defence seemed more savvy during the second period, and 15 minutes from time The Wells did manage to get back on level terms when Mike Shelley popped up on his Tunbridge Wells debut to score.

Although the threat of extra time hung over Culverden, the home side had something more in their locker and on winning a second penalty kick with three minutes remaining, McMath stepped up to the plate. In spite of the earlier miss, he was to make no mistake in dispatching the ball into the net this time around to send The Wells through to the second round and complete an excellent comeback.

Elsewhere in the county, another Kent Invicta League side, Ashford United, were busy polishing off Holmesdale 2-1 ensuring that it would be they who host The Wells in Round Two.

"That was a rollercoaster of a game," reflected first team boss Martin Larkin afterwards. "We had a few missing from our line-up – Perry Spackman, Tom Carr, Andy Oladogba, Tom Davey and Stuart Thorley - so we were a little disjointed to start off with. Full credit to Kent Football United who started the game well and were excellent in attack for the whole game.

"The players they had on display in the attacking sense are all players we have had with us before, or have tried to sign so we know the kind of deals they go for - it's clear KFU are a very ambitious club.

"In truth, our defending was poor for their two goals but at half time we told the guys not to panic - they had to remain calm and keep doing what we had instructed them to do. Jon Pilbeam was by far and away the best player on the pitch, causing havoc on the right hand side the whole game, and when the chances came we took them.

"Hats off to Andy McMath. It's never nice to miss a penalty so to have the courage to step up again and take one in the last few minutes to win the game was impressive."