Hendon enjoyed a comfortable passage into the third qualifying round of the FA Cup as they saw off Leiston 4-1 at Earlsmead. All four Greens goals were expertly taken, but the first three were exceptional, each in a different way.

Kevin Maclaren was fit to return and he took over from Lee O'Leary, while Aaron Morgan came in for Ryan Palmer. Kezie Ibe, Belal Aite-Ouakrim and Sam Flegg were all on the bench, though the latter would not be needed - nor were Richard Worrell, Max McCann and goalkeeper Brendan Hazlett.

The game got off to a spectacular start as Hendon scored inside 40 seconds. Aaron Morgan broke down the left wing and played the ball across to Andre Da Costa, who instantly fed Leon Smith. The striker was too strong for Joe Jefford and Smith curled the ball past Danny Gay and off the underside of the crossbar before bouncing into the roof of the net.

It was the perfect start for the Greens who were quick to continue forcing the pace. Leiston had no answer to Hendon's attacking raids and they could do nothing in terms of attacking themselves.

Hendon had three or four excellent chances to extend their advantage. Morgan and Smith both failed to make solid contact with shots at goal and Casey Maclaren glanced a header just wide of the target.

The best opportunities fell to Andre Da Costa, who saw his effort brilliantly saved. Chris Seeby may well have buried the rebound had the ball fallen at his right foot, but his attempt with the left blocked away by Gay's legs.

Two minutes before half-time, the Greens' enterprise received due reward. More enterprising attacking play saw the ball end up a Da Costa's feet. The midfielder shifted the ball to set up a shooting opportunity, but his curling strike with the outside of his foot caressed the ball just inside Gay's right post, bent in such a way the goalkeeper had no chance.

Leiston, who had been rattled enough for both Tom Bullard and Michael Brothers to be cautioned - and the latter was fortunate to last the full 90 minutes as he continued to offend during the second half - made two changes at half-time, replacing defenders Stuart Boardley and Adam Tann with Jack Simmons and Leon Ottley-Gooch.

Things got worse for Leiston a few minutes after the resumption when manager Steve Ball was sent to the stands for inappropriate language. Spoken to by the referee, and asked to leave the dugout, he voiced more unflattering comments and was sent to the stands.

Hendon made a double change after an hour when Smith, who had picked up a knock when denied by a brilliant last-ditch tackle from Bullard moments before the interval, and Morgan, who had just received treatment, were withdrawn in favour of Ibe and Peter Dean.

On the pitch, the Blues were better in the second half and they had their first good opening after 62 minutes, when Nnamdi Nwachuku had a clear sight of goal. His low strike was excellently saved by the sprawling Ben McNamara.

Almost immediately Nwachuku was replaced by Scott Mitchell, meaning the dangerous Joe Francis could not be used to turn things around. Instead Leiston conceded a third goal.

Ibe's first contribution to the match was to start the move by winning a ball from Michael Brothers in midfield. He sent the ball to Da Costa, who quickly fed Dean. The ball was then passed to Kevin Maclaren, who hit a first-time cross to beyond the far post.

Patrick Brothers, who had dropped back to replace Boardley at left-back, had Dave Diedhiou in close attendance, but he judged the flight of Maclaren's cross was too much for the Hendon man. He was terribly wrong, as Diedhiou not only stretched to reach the ball, but he then guided it sweetly into the side netting. No other player in the Hendon team has the balance or touch to match to divert the ball with such delicacy and accuracy.

Aite-Ouakrim took over from Casey Maclaren after 72 minutes and he had a couple of runs, which were eventually stopped. Da Costa was still a thorn in the side of the Leiston defence, but most of the real danger was at the other end.

McNamara made another excellent save, diving at the feet of Ottley-Gooch to deny the substitute. But the goalkeeper was beaten in the 84th minute when Leiston reduced the arrears.

A free-kick on the half-way line was sent by Gay into the penalty area. The ball eluded the first line of defenders and was allowed to bounce in the box. No one else reacted, other than Bullard, who headed the bouncing ball into the net.

Hendon conceded a couple of free-kicks in dangerous areas as the game moved into stoppage time, but delivery wasn't quite good enough and two or three efforts missed the target by some distance.

And, over-committing to attack, Leiston paid a final penalty in stoppage time. Ibe was too strong for Bullard and got clear of the defender. He went around Gay and, despite being held back by the Blues defender, Ibe still rolled the ball into the almost unguarded net.