A makeshift Hayes & Yeading United side shocked a full strength Grays Athletic outfit to reach the second round proper of the FA Trophy.

Goals from skipper Tom Cadmore and a scorching effort by James Mulley, coupled with a superb defensive performance, earned United a fine 2-0 win over the Conference Premier strugglers last Tuesday night.

Josh Scott also had a brilliant individual effort chalked off in stoppage time at the end of the game as United overcame the absence of several key players through injury and suspension to take their place in the next round.

They next travel to Conference North title hopefuls AFC Telford United on January 10, which means the league trip to AFC Wimbledon will have to be rearranged.

Scott's return as a lone striker was a boost to boss Garry Haylock, who asked centre half Peter Collins to play a holding midfield role, and he had his hands full early on as visitors Grays started well, Jamie Slabber twice lifting half chances over the bar.

Steven Gregory had tested David Button from distance but United were still finding their feet when Cadmore surged through the crowd and rose majestically to thump a downward header into the back of the net for a 14th minute lead.

Cadmore's defensive partner Matt Ruby so nearly doubled the lead with a glancing header from another corner soon after but it was their efforts, along with Danny Allen-Page and

Gary MacDonald, at the other end of the pitch which really caught the eye.

Grays passed the ball well enough but with United getting men behind the ball and working hard to deny the visitors time and space, for the rest of the first half the Conference team were restricted to a couple of set pieces, Gary MacDonald clearing the most dangerous of those.

Grays began the second period on top and after Aaron Howe plucked a Jamie Stuart header out of the air he produced a crucial save, sticking out a strong right hand to deny Barry Cogan and from then on United only got stronger.

Scott wriggled out of Stuart's clutches, laid the ball off to Mulley and set off to make himself available for a return pass.

It never came.

Mulley took a touch and smashed a 25-yard screamer past Button at his near post and the bewildered keeper never moved a muscle until he turned to see the ball find the top corner.

Grays tried to hit back but ran out of ideas in the final third and a minute into time added on Scott flicked the ball over one defender on halfway and set off towards goal, beating a second man and clashing with a third.

Both players hit the deck but the United striker bounced back up and beat Button with his usual aplomb only to see the linesman's flag, presumably for a tug on the last defender.

It looked a harsh decision but it did not affect the outcome even when United were carved open for the first time in the 93rd minute.

Howe got a piece of the ball to send Wesley Thomas wide and although the Grays striker worked himself a clear sight of goal with only defend

ers on the line, he sliced embarrassingly wide to leave the hosts celebrating not only a fine cup win but also their first clean sheet in any competition since September.

UNITED: Howe, Allen-Page, MacDonald, Cadmore, Ruby, Marwa, Mulley, Gregory, Scott, Collins, James. Subs not used: Palmer, Perkins, Lovell, Preddie.

Goals, United: Cadmore 14; Mulley 65.

Grays: None. Attendance: 158.

* Supporters Club members may book seats on the coach to Telford at the game with Maidenhead United on Boxing Day and at home to Worcester City on January 3.

Tickets cost £15 for the coach which leaves Church Road at 10.30am on January 10.