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.
Nine goals, three penalties, eight yellow cards….and breath !
It ended honours even in the battle between the top two at The QEll Stadium.
The Reds made it through to the first round proper of the FA Youth Cup where they will entertain the under eighteens of League One side Charlton Athletic.