All pictures reproduced with kind permission of Rob Smith (RJS Photography)

FC CLACTON produced a brilliant fightback to confirm their place in the next round of the FA Vase.

Tom Austin’s Seasiders came from two-down to defeat Buckingham Athletic 3-2 in a thrilling first-round replay at the Rush Green Bowl.

Jordan Lartey halved the deficit, Adam Hampson made it all-square and Karl Andrade thundered home a dramatic winner six minutes from time to set up a home tie against Kirkley and Pakefield.

It was a brilliant night for Clacton, who also pocketed £825 for their victory against the Spartan South Midlands League side.

However, the evening got off to the worst possible start after they found themselves two-down in double-quick time.

In fact, there were only 21 minutes on the clock when the speedy Sam Olawale slotted home his second of the night to put Buckingham 2-0 ahead.

Clacton refused top lie down, though, and Lartey got them back in the tie with a close-range header, attacking a right-wing cross whipped in by full-back Charlie Thompson.

Hampson then made it level after the break, despite appearing to have missed his opportunity after slipping.

Instead, he quickly got back on his feet and produced a clever lobbed finish over the Buckingham keeper.

Extra-time was looming until, with just six minutes left, Thompson swung in a cross from deep on the right and Lartey played the cleverest of passes into Andrade’s path.

The ball bounced invitingly and the striker made no mistake, volleying across goal and high into the net.

It sparked wild celebrations among the home players and supporters and Clacton will now look forward to their fourth meeting of the season against Kirkley.

The sides have already met in two FA Cup ties – a 2-2 draw, followed by a 3-2 victory for the Seasiders – and a recent Thurlow Nunn League contest, which finished 3-3.