Steve Harper fired Burgess Hill into the Bryco Cup third round last night.

But it wasn't just the hitman's two goals that impressed boss Gary Croydon as his side won 3-0 at home to Whyteleafe.

The Hillians chief was just as pleased with the way his star striker, a relative veteran at 22, acted as mentor to the young side mauled 4-0 by struggling Leatherhead at Leylands Park only a week ago.

Croydon said: "Steve Harper is an outstanding player and he's leading this young side to win games, showing such leadership to the younger ones.

"Although we shouldn't have performances like the one last week, it can always happen with young players.

"We are stretched in terms of numbers but this result shows the strength in depth of the club. It would largely have been the reserve side this time last year and I'm thrilled for them.

"We can win this competition. If you've got one that can stop them (keeper Pat Gannon) and one who can score them (Harper), then you are always going to be in the frame."

Simon McMenemy opened the scoring from Roy Pook's deep cross after 27 minutes, his first goal for the club, and Hillians held a 1-0 interval lead thanks to goal-line clearances by teenage full-backs Ben Fillery and Lloyd Cotton.

Cotton impressed with a bubbly performance on the Hillians right and his cross created a clear chance for McMenemy who headed straight at Whyteleafe keeper James Wastell.

Marcus Kempster twice shot wide when he should have scored but Harper gave the home side some breathing space after 83 minutes, firing low into the net from Kevin Townsends through ball.

Kempster struck the Hillians bar before Harper added his second in stoppage time, crashing an emphatic shot into the top corner after Owen Callaghan's run.