Whitehawk’s gallant FA Cup run came to an end as they lost 3-2 after extra time to Dagenham and Redbridge in a second round replay at the Enclosed Ground.

Substitute Juan Cruz Gotta’s header in stoppage time at the end of the 90 minutes forced the extra half-hour.

But it was not to be as the League Two visitors netted again to seal a third round trip to Premier League Everton.

It was a shame for Hawks who led through Danny Mills’ 32nd-minute header in a rip-roaring Cup tie in front of a crowd of 2,174.

Roared on by a south stand packed to capacity, Hawks made a strong start and had two half shouts for a penalty in the opening three minutes plus an inviting cross from Nick Arnold which Mills failed to get on the end of.

They had to wait, though, until the 18th minute for the first real chance of the contest as Sam Deering whipped in a free-kick which defender Joe Widdowson headed against his own post under pressure from Mills.

Two minutes later Deering delivered another dangerous free-kick down the slope, Dean Leacock headed goalwards and goalkeeper Mark Cousins eventually gathered.

The Argus: Whitehawk v Dagenham FA Cup replay picture gallery

Dagenham defended diligently and also created a chance of their own on the break on 27 minutes, veteran striker Jamie Cureton shooting past an upright on the turn after being teed up by Josh Passley.

The breakthrough came on 32 minutes when Deering threaded a pass for Jake Robinson whose inviting cross was headed home from close range by Mills for his 18th goal of the season.

Sergio Torres threatened a second with a dipping half-volley on 38 minutes which cleared the crossbar.

Hawks were forced into a change on 43 minutes when Leacock went off injured to be replaced by Juan Cruz Gotta and within seconds the visitors were level.

The marking, possibly down to the change, looked sloppy as former Hawks loanee Kyle Vassell collected a pass, turned superbly and rifled the ball into the top corner.

There was a further change at half-time as referee Keith Stroud was forced off with a hamstring injury, to be followed early in the second half by Paul Lorraine who aggravated a hamstring injury and was replaced by Rose on 48 minutes.

Cousins had to show sharp reactions on 53 minutes when he tipped over Robinson’s free-kick from under his own crossbar.

The changes continued with a third Hawks player limping off, this time Dave Martin to be replaced by Scott Neilson.

As the rain got harder, the chances dried up. Hawks were struggling to unlock the visiting defence and they were caught on the break with 13 minutes remaining as Cureton scampered into space and crossed for Passley to finish into the far corner.

As the game entered stoppage time Robinson’s fierce effort was tipped over and from the resulting corner Cruz Gotta headed home for a 93rd minute equaliser to force extra time.

Five minutes from the end of the first period of extra-time Dagenham regained the lead as defender Ayo Obileye headed home from a corner.

The visitors finished with ten men after James Dunne was sent off for a second yellow card five minutes from the end.

Whitehawk: Ross; Arnold, Lorraine (sub Rose 48), Leacock (sub Cruz Gotta 43), Braham-Barrett; Deering, Torres, Mendy, Martin (sub Neilson 56); Robinson, Mills. Subs not used: Sessegnon, Stevens, Ijaha, van den Bogaert.

Dagenham and Redbridge: Cousins; Hoyte, Nosworthy, Obileye, Widdowson; Passley (sub Chambers 84), Ladabie, Dunne, Hemmings; Vassell (sub Boucard 117), Cureton (sub Doidge 88). Subs not used: Dikamona, Jones, Connors, O’Brien.