There was a sense of déjà vu at the interval as Romford had yet again dominated proceedings and created but missed a host of chances. Fortunately, the visitors rarely threatened Jake Anderson’s goal either before or after the interval, and two goals in the last twenty minutes from Camilo Restrepo earned Boro their first win in 90 minutes since the victory at Newmarket Town in the previous round of the Vase.

There were muted Boro appeals for a penalty when Little Oakley goalkeeper Sam Felgate and Lewis Smith collided in the penalty area after six minutes (pictured below by Alan Blackholly) , and after 12 minutes Smith – playing in a slightly more advanced role than usual – fired narrowly over after being set up by George Cox. Almost immediately, there was another chance for Boro with Jamie Hursit finding Camilo Restrepo, whose shot was also just too high.

Emmanuel Robe chipped narrowly wide after Smith had headed on Hursit’s pass, and Robe’s cross caught the Little Oakley defence unprepared but Restrepo was unable to capitalise. Another shot from Restrepo, who was involved in much of Boro’s best play, narrowly cleared the bar after Adalberto Pinto had pulled the ball back on the left.

A rare incursion into Boro territory by the visitors saw a low cross evade everyone in the penalty area and then Greg Rodger registered Little Oakley’s first shot on target after 31 minutes, but Anderson was able to save comfortably.

Scott Doe headed Smith’s free-kick narrowly wide after 38 minutes, and two minutes later there was controversy as Little Oakley substitute Alfie Canning was booked for a foul on Jacob Wiggins and almost immediately afterwards brought down Danny Hurford as the Boro full-back powered forward from midfield. The second challenge was probably worse than the first, yet on this occasion, referee Matthew Pointer contented himself with a lecture for the visiting player.

The second half was more of the same. Boro’s back-line – missing the injured George Allen – were noticeably keener to get the ball forward earlier than has been the norm in recent games; Robe had a shot pushed away by Felgate for a corner after 57 minutes and Doe headed another free-kick from Smith narrowly over.

Little Oakley’s best efforts were a shot from Harry Mann that went well wide after 52 minutes and then after 64 minutes Jake Anderson did enough to put Rodger off, and he ballooned his effort over the crossbar from close range.

After 72 minutes Romford finally made a breakthrough. Camilo Restrepo was found by an astute pass across the edge of the penalty area, jinked inside and shot low into the bottom corner.

Adalberto Pinto had a shot that was deflected over after 81 minutes, and after 87 minutes Restrepo sealed the win with his fifth goal in as many games, heading home Tyrese Sibanda’s excellent cross after the young substitute had been set up by Lewis Smith.

Romford’s league form may have been a bit patchy of late, but this was the side’s eleventh win in thirteen cup ties this season, and National League South side Chelmsford City remain the only team to beat Boro in a knock-out competition in 2022-23.

Romford: Jake Anderson, Jamie Hursit (Bleron Ademi, 78m), Danny Hurford, Jacob Wiggins (Jack Glenister, 68m), Tambeson Eyong, Scott Doe, Emmanuel Robe (Tyrese Sibanda, 68m), Adalberto Pinto, Lewis Smith, George Cox, Camilo Restrepo.

Main picture: George Cox wins a header in the Little Oakley penalty area. (Alan Blackholly)