Aribim Pepple joined Southend on loan from Luton Town
Aribim Pepple scored a hat-trick as Southend reached round four of the FA Trophy with a 5-3 win in their Essex derby tie at Brentwood Town.
The home side were one of only three eighth-tier sides left in the competition, three levels below Southend, but took the lead through Danny Ogunleye.
Having knocked out another former English Football League side, Hereford, in the previous round, his goal raised hopes that Brentwood could achieve a second notable result.
But Cav Miley levelled for the Shrimpers, and Pepple's 17-minute hat-trick after the break - the third from the penalty spot after Jack Bridge had missed an earlier spot-kick - put them in charge at the Brentwood Centre Arena.
Josh Walker added a fifth for Southend in between goals by Ogunleye and Harry Elsey which ensured home fans in a crowd of 1,323 had plenty to shout about all the way to the final whistle.
Shrimpers win first meeting for 56 years
The game was the first competitive meeting between the two clubs, who are just 20 miles apart, since the 1968-69 FA Cup, when Southend won 10-1.
"We probably wanted it to be a bit more comfortable than it was, but we had a job to do and got it done, that's all that matters," Pepple told BBC Essex.
"When they scored the first goal, we did well to regroup and get back into it. We take the victory, look at what we can improve on and move on."
Despite the result, Brentwood - who are managed by former Northern Ireland international Keith Roland - were proud of their effort throughout the competition.
"The boys gave a very good account of themselves. We knew it would be tough and I suppose their quality told in the end - 5-3, it looks like a thriller, but in all honesty, they were in control for most of the game," said assistant boss Steve Butterworth.
"We could dream for 10, 20 minutes, but once they got level, they took control. But that's the furthest the club has come in the trophy and it's been great. If we can repeat that performance in the league, not many teams will get near us."
