FIRST QUALIFYING ROUND: Hemel Hempstead Town 6AFC Hayes 0

If AFC Hayes thought they had turned a corner in midweek they ran straight into a brick wall in the shape of Hemel Hempstead Town on Saturday.

Joe Mitchell's side returned to last season's form as they thrashed Winchester City 5-1 in the league on Tuesday but four days later in the FA Trophy they conceded five in the first half alone.

Southern League Premier Division outfit Hemel then added another after the break to hand bruised Hayes another in a long line of heavy defeats this season.

Early on it was Hayes that were on top as Gilbert Nuako put Victor Osobu through but a defender cleared and then Danny Tilbury headed over from a Dean Clark corner when he might have done better.

Against the run of play, however, and much to the visitors' surprise, Ross Ahir was penalised for a foul when he felt he legitimately cleared a ball, and after much argument Drew Roberts scored from the spot.

Hemel broke from their own box to add a second through Chris Dillon and that opened the floodgates as Roberts, Gary Sippetts and David Deeney made it four in 15 minutes to seal the outcome before the interval.

Hayes prevented further damage until 10 minutes from time when Yiadom Yeboah headed home at a corner to complete the rout.

The manager will hope for better things in the league at Thatcham Town on Saturday when former striker Dean Papali may be back in club colours after arriving on a month-long loan deal from Wealdstone.

Fellow striker Charlie Hill, meanwhile, has joined Beaconsfield SYCOB. HAYES: Philpott, Walters, Nuako, Homer, Metwali, Charlery, Pereira, Ahir, Clark, Tilbury, Osobu. Subs not used: Rouco, Day, Hare-wood, Morris, Wark.

Goals, Hemel: Roberts 17 (pen), 31; Dillon 26; Sippetts 36, Deeney 41; Yeboah 80. Hayes: None. Attendance: 147.