Before all the late drama, the game had got underway with the Hornets taking the game to their opponents, creating several early chances but the finishing efforts were not troubling Gregg Nesling in the home goal. Simon Austin, playing up front with Lee Farrell, had the first chance but pulled his shot wide of the post while the latter chased down a seemingly overhit pass by Yinka Salaam to set up Taylor but, instead of shooting, the midfielder went for the over elaborate pass and the chance had gone. Saturday’s "Match of the Day" star Nigel Brake fed Gary Charman and the lively winger homed in on goal only for good defending to prevent a shot on target at the expense of a corner from which Brake's delicate lob landed on top of the net rather than in it.  In the 15th minute, a fantastic run from left to right saw Charman upended just outside the penalty area and Jacob Mingle’s stunning free kick fairly whistled into the top corner to give the Hornets a well earned lead.

A team is so often vulnerable after a goal has been scored and Mansfield had to be alert to hack clear after a probing ball over the defence had almost let in Graham Holman. But it was Nesling who was the busier 'keeper while his defence were working overtime to try to stop the blue shirts from building up more attacks. Charman‘s close range header went just wide, grazing the outside of the upright on the way, and Austin thought he had scored after a Charman effort was parried by the home 'keeper whose quick reactions managed to divert the shot for a corner. Charlie Franks was lucky to only receive a stern lecture when he unceremoniously hacked down the flying figure of Carney and the Horsham man looked to exact instant revenge but his shot on target was kept out by Nesling. A corner from Taylor saw Charman’s header well saved while, at the other end, new signing Nick Pearmine’s shot warmed the hands of Mansfield.

With only four minutes of the first half to go, an unfortunate clearance from the Eastbourne defence landed at Austin’s feet. Confronted by two defenders and the 'keeper, the former Maidstone man beat them all to slot the ball into the empty net for a two nil lead.

The Hornets were well on top and, in a repeat of Saturday’s game, they scored right on the stroke of half time. After good build up play involving all the midfield players, Charman tried his luck only to see his shot rebound back off the inside of the post and into the path of Carney who made it three with barely enough time to restart the game before the referee brought a satisfactory half to an end for the visitors.

H/T Eastbourne Town 0 Horsham 3

With the game already seemingly won, Jacob Mingle was withdrawn at half-time and replaced with Stuart Myall who settled in to the right back slot with Salaam moving into a more advanced position. Eastbourne started the second half better and earned themselves a free kick after Tom Graves was penalised, skipper Danny Simmond’s ball into the box was only partially cleared and Adam Davidson’s attempted cross hit Myall in the face and went out for a corner. The subsequent cross was partially cleared by Taylor who took a blow to the knee which resulted in a booking for Peter Featherstone. Salaam tried his luck with a long range shot that skimmed the bar and that was followed by another Carney effort that was blocked and cleared.

Lee Farrell needed no second invitation when Nesling’s poor clearance landed straight at his feet and he advanced on goal before slotting the ball past the 'keeper and into the back of the net to make it 4-0 with 35 minutes left. Within a minute it was five, Brake outstripping the stunned defence to put in a pinpoint cross to the far post where Taylor’s superb header looped over the 'keeper's head and into the far corner to claim a fine finish.

The Hornets, well renowned for conceding careless goals did just that in the 57th minute, allowing a harmless cross from Holman to drift across the area where Liam Baitup was loitering, his shot squeezing between Mansfield and his near post making it 5-1 .

With three goals scored in as many minutes, Horsham decided to revert to the passing game and the tired legs of the Eastbourne players began to show with the pressure on the home side causing some strong words to be exchanged among the defenders. In the 62nd minute, John Maggs put recent signing Steven Davies on in place of Austin and, despite his first pass going astray, he settled well into a supporting role just behind the strikers. Pearmine was booked when he hacked down Brake near the halfway line and, from the kick, Brake put Charman in but his shot went wide while Myall surprised everyone by hitting a powerful shot on target that forced a great save from the home 'keeper.

With 20 minutes left, a double substitution by Eastbourne saw Simon Catt and Brad Martin come on while, for the Hornets, Payne came on for Charman. Horsham continued to have the upper hand with Farrell only hitting the side netting while Davies’ slide rule pass saw Taylor waste a glorious chance. He then turned provider with a cross that Brake met with his head, forcing another great save from the home custodian. Pearmine should have done better when put through but only managed to steer his shot wide of the goal and a late flurry from the home side saw Catt hit a long range shot that was kicked off the line by Brake.

Then came the controversy surrounding Mansfield before another off-the-ball incident saw Pearmine booked for the second time but amazingly stayed on the pitch. Brake saw yellow as well for a badly mistimed tackle as the game seemed to be getting out of control, causing Mr Child to add several minutes of extra time. But the Hornets were safely through to round four where they have been drawn to meet Walton Casuals again, hoping to gain revenge against the Surrey club after suffering an extra time defeat in last year's competition.