Worthing’s long unbeaten run - stretching back to August - finally came to an end, despite taking an early lead through Ollie Pearce.
Headed goals from Aarran Racine and Joel Colbran sandwiched an Ollie Pearce penalty, as Worthing extended their lead at the top of the table to eight points.
Despite facing a team two divisions higher, Worthing were more than a match for Hounslow as they suffered the agony of an FA Cup exit on penalties.
Two in-form sides met in the FA Trophy at The Skyex Community Stadium but it was the visitors who turned in a dominant performance to seal a safe passage through to round two.
Harrison Male’s second-half penalty save helped Worthing to maintain their five point lead at the top of the table.
Worthing’s FA Youth Cup run finally came to an end but not before they’d given Charlton Athletic a stern test.
Pat Webber got the ball rolling as both he and Danny Barker scored their first goals of the season in what was an ultimately comfortable win at Wingate & Finchley.
Despite playing for an hour a man light, a goal at the end of each half from the prolific pair of Dajon Golding and Ollie Pearce saw Worthing through to the first round.
Worthing turned things around in the second half as they came from behind to beat Merstham and move ahead of the chasing pack.
Worthing overcame AFC Littlehampton as they stormed through to the first round proper of the Vitality Women’s FA Cup.
