Harrow Borough were dumped out of the FA Trophy after a 2-0 first qualifying round defeat at AFC Hornchurch on Saturday.

The Reds limply exited the competition and for the fifth time in six matches ended the game with ten men after the dismissal of Nick Salapatas.

Dave Anderson’s side were under pressure from the start and Martin Tuohy fired in an effort which was saved by keeper Nick Jupp.

Boro’s first shot on goal came through Ben Long but he was denied by a decent stop from Sam Mott.

Salapatas then fired in an ambitious free-kick from 35 yards out but the Hornchurch keeper was equal to his strike.

The Reds threatened again through Michael Vickers after the ball fell into his path but he blasted the shot just wide of the target.

But the key moment of the match took place after 33 minutes when Boro were reduced to ten men yet again.

Salapatas swung an elbow at Alex Bentley and the referee had no hesitation in sending him off.

Although this did not cost them a goal in the first half there is no doubt that the dismissal played a major part in the second period which was dominated by AFC Hornchurch.

The hosts should have struck straight after the restart but Michael Malcolm chipped against the bar before the rebound resulted in Tuohy heading against the woodwork.

Hornchurch kept the pressure on the visitors and were only denied again by Jupp when he kept out a header from Danny Johnson.

It came as no surprise when the home side opened the scoring just after the hour mark.

Joey May fired in an effort which bounced over Jupp and Malcolm helped it over the line for the breakthrough.

New signing Kamaron English was brought on but the Reds failed to muster a shot on target during a dismal second half and their fate was sealed two minutes into injury time.

Billy Coyne fired in an unstoppable free-kick to seal Hornchurch’s win and end Boro’s hopes in this year’s competition.

Anderson’s side were due to host Tonbridge Angels on Tuesday night but the match was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

Boro find themselves bottom of the Ryman Premier Division although they do have games in hands on their rivals.

The Reds will look to claim a much-needed league victory this Saturday when they travel to Kingstonian.