Horsham 1 Margate 0: Hornets secure Velocity Trophy semi-final spot for the first time in their history

Brivio's early goal proved to be the difference between the two sides.

Ben Swift was sent off in the second half for Margate as the Hornets sealed their spot in the final four.

Dominic Di Paola made two changes from Saturday's 2-0 home win over ten-man Cheshunt. Rob O'Toole and Will Miles replaced Chris Smith and Dylan Merchant respectively.

The Hornets opened the scoring after just seven minutes. Steve Metcalf played a pinpoint cross into the area and Brivio magnificently volleyed home from close-range.

But, despite the goal, there was little in the way of goalmouth action in the remainder of the half.

Greg Cundle did marvellously well to steal the ball from a Margate player before slipping in Harvey Sparks. The left-back went for goal but his effort went wide of the mark.

A slick passage of play saw substitute Charlie Harris, who had replaced the injured Brivio, play in Lee Harding who fired just over the near-post.

Horsham fashioned their best chance for a second goal a minute before the break. A lovely passing move ended with Cundle hitting a fierce shot from the edge of the box that required a great diving save from Gate keeper Joe Tupper.

Smith replaced Alex Kelly at half-time and almost made an immediate impact. Sparks threaded a ball into the forward who managed to poke the ball towards goal but his shot smacked against the post.

Ten minutes into the second half and Margate were reduced to ten man. An incident off the ball from a Gate corner saw a scuffle ensue in the Hornets area.

Margate captain Swift was summoned over by referee Conall Bartlett and was shown a straight red for violent conduct.

The Hornets looked to capitalise on their man advantage. O'Toole nodded over from an inch-perfect Metcalf cross before Smith also headed off target.

But Horsham were nearly the architects of their own downfall with 20 minutes to go. Joe Shelley carelessly gave the ball away to Noel Leighton in the box but the Margate striker blasted his powerful effort wide of the target.

With five minutes remaining some last ditch Hornets defending kept out shots from Jack Richards and Chris Sessesgnon.

But Horsham survived a tense end to the game to secure their place in the Velocity Trophy semi-finals.

Horsham: Bentley, Metcalf, Sparks, Kelly (Smith 46), Shelley, Miles, Brivio (Harris 23), Dawson, O'Toole (Charman 77), Cundle (Mills 70), Harding. Unused: Rumsey.

Margate: Tupper, Sessesgnon, Porter, Robins, Johnson, Swift, Ramadan (Prestedge 81), Lamb, Reeves (Abnett 59), Leighton, Richards. Unused: Kallmeier.

Referee: Conall Bartlett

Attendance: 195