Chelmsford City 3-1 Colchester United
The FA Cup with Budweiser
First Round Proper
3pm, Saturday 3 November 2012
Melbourne Stadium, Chelmsford City FC
Winning clubs receive £18,000 from The FA's prize fund
Click here for fixtures
By Matt Phillips at the Melbourne Stadium
Donovan Simmonds scored twice as League One Colchester United were humbled in the Essex derby at Melbourne Stadium.
The match-winning brace were Simmonds' first goals since moving to the Clarets from Nuneaton Town earlier this season.
And Jamie Slabber added a third in the last minute to ensure Glenn Pennyfather's side will be in The FA Cup with Budweiser Second Round draw at Wembley on Sunday.
A capacity crowd of 3016 saw the visitors get off to a quick start, with Arsenal loanees Sanchez Watt and Craig Eastmond looking assured in midfield for the U's with Ian Henderson threatening on the wing.
But it was against the run of play that Chelmsford opened the scoring on 22 minutes.
A hopeful ball forward from City fell loose in midfield and Simmonds capitalised with a looping lob that left U's 'keeper Mark Cousins stranded in no-man's land.
It was a body blow for Colchester and gave the home side a wave of confidence for the rest of the game.
Justin Miller almost made it two moments later with a great left foot shot from the edge of the box, which Cousins did well to palm away.
And City doubled their lead just after the hour mark when Simmonds made the most of a mix up between Magnus Okuonghae and Cousins.
The giant centre half left a high ball over the U's defence to his 'keeper but Cousins failed to react and Simmonds nipped in to glance home as the Melbourne Stadium erupted with delight.
U's boss Joe Dunne introduced Clinton Morrison and Gavin Massey from the bench and Colchester received a lifeline with 20 minutes to go when they were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box.
Left back Michael Rose stepped up and sent a superb shot past Stuart Searle to reduce the arrears.
But the home side had Searle to thank with five minutes left.
The former Chelsea 'keeper saved superbly from point blank range, after Morrison had chested down in the six yard box for Jabo Ibehre.
And City finally sealed their place in the Second Round when Jamie Slabber composed himself in the penalty box before rifling a right foot shot into the roof of the net with 60 seconds of normal time remaining.
