Burgess Hill proved how far they have come since last season by taking a small step in the FA Cup.

The Hillians put on a first-half master class against Southwick at Old Barn Way to claim the £1,000 prize money and book a place in the first qualifying round.

It was the first time Burgess Hill had faced County League opposition since making the step up into the Dr Martens League during the summer.

But it became hard to believe the two sides were ever in the same division as Steve Harper and Nicky Sullivan scored two each in the first half to make the second period a formality.

The emphatic result continues the superb start the Hillians have made to their first ever season in the Dr Martens eastern division.

They have already won three out of their four league games and if they play as they did in the first half, their next victory will not be too long in coming according to Southwick joint-manager Mick Fogden.

He said: "They have some very good players and you can see when they get the ball, their movement is a lot quicker and sharper than last season.

"They showed what a quality outfit they are and I think they are going to do very well in the Southern League this season."

Southwick actually looked the better side for the first 19 minutes and created enough chances to suggest maybe an upset was on the cards.

Both Aaron Macmillan and Jack Dineen were given time and space to line up shots, but each failed the trouble visiting keeper Pat Gannon.

However, there only looked like being one winner once an error in the Southwick defence allowed Harper to open the scoring.

He seized on a wayward back-pass, meant for Wickers keeper Phil Reid, before rounding the hapless stopper and rolling the ball in from a tight angle.

Burgess Hill punished the home side again just seven minutes later when another lapse in concentration saw Richard Carter left unmarked on the right flank.

His cross was inch perfect for the waiting Sullivan, who headed home from close range.

Harper had already fired into the side netting with only the keeper to beat, before hitting his second of the game two minutes before half time.

He twisted and turned Wickers defender Jason Tighe, before slotting past Reid from the edge of the box. Sullivan sealed it thanks to another piece of generous defending by the home side.

Reid came for a cross, but missed and the Hillians striker stole round the back to make it five goals in his last three games with a neat finish.

Fogden was left rueing the defensive errors, which he admits is the difference between the league Burgess Hill were in last season and the one they are now.

He said: "You can't give goals away against teams like that and not expect to get punished.

They capitalised on every mistake we made and I would say that is the difference. We might have got away with a few of them in the County League, but this was not a league game, it was a cup game and it was disappointing."

The Wickers could take heart from the second half which saw them not concede any further goals and grab a last minute consolation when substitute Jason Fleming fired in from close range from Mcmillan's corner.

By then Burgess Hill had done the job they had came to do and it is that professional attitude that manager Gary Croydon believes will see his side succeed this season.

He said: "We have shown in our first four league games that our preparation has been good. If you ask experienced managers like Jack Pearce or Sammy Donnelly what the difference is when you step up a league, they will tell you preparation.

"That is what we are doing and so far it is paying off."

Burgess Hill now face Abingdon United at home in the next round of the famous competition on September 13.

The furthest the Hillians have every reached is the fourth qualifying round three years ago where they lost 4-1 at Hereford United, Croydon believes he now has the squad to make club history in the cup as well as the league and there will not be many who argue with him after the performance against Southwick.

Croydon said: "Steve Harper is still only 20 years old and Nicky Sullivan is 19, so we are a good young team. They look a real handful and with Nicky Wyatt and Ashley Carr in the wings.

Southwick: Reid, J. Ash, Quinlan, Tighe, Cox (sub Fleming 71), M. Ash (sub Allwright 46), Macmillan, Dineen, Pulling, Rook (sub Potbury 46), Agutter. Subs not used: Beal, Stewart.

Burgess Hill: Gannon, Kilpartrick (sub Hurley 30), Guile, Virgo, Andrews, Downey, Harper, Carter (sub Wyatt 63), Day, Sullivan, Geard (sub Marshall 46). Subs not used: Carr, Callaghan.

Booked: Geard (foul).

Referee: Paul Faulkner (Brighton)

Attendance: 203
Man-of-the-match: Steve Harper - constant threat to a shaky Wickers defence