BRAINTREE TOWN produced a heroic performance before bowing out of the FA Cup at Millwall.

Michael Cheek gave them an early lead and skipper Jack Midson also netted but it was the League One Lions who eventually progressed to the third round, winning 5-2.

It was Braintree’s first-ever match in the second round of the world-famous competition – having put seven past Eastbourne Borough at the first hurdle - and they showed no sign of nerves after making a bright start and scoring through Cheek.

The striker fired into the top left-hand corner with a fantastic finish to give his side a dream start.

Sadly, however, it proved only a short-lived advantage.

Harry Smith fired the Lions level just seconds later and the same player then drilled his side ahead with an angled half-volley following Shane Ferguson’s corner.

It was an incredible start to the game and there were still two more goals to come before half-time.

Ferguson broke into the box and extended the Lions’ lead but Midson pulled one back after evading his marker and lifting his shot over keeper Jordan Archer.

Braintree, watched by 315 Iron fans in a crowd of 3,345, were still very much in the contest at half-time but their task became much harder three minutes into the second period, as Smith completed his hat-trick with a half-volley from David Worrall’s corner.

Hakan Hayrettin’s National League side refused to give up and Simeon Akinola hooked a shot just over the bar before Archer produced a brilliant close-range save to deny Cheek.

Substitute Lee Barnard then saw a decent effort go just wide as the contest drifted towards stoppage time.

However, it was not to be and Aiden O’Brien added Millwall’s fifth four minutes into stoppage time, sealing their place in the draw for the third round, which is taking place in the build-up to Monday’s televised match between Oldham Athletic and Lincoln City.

Braintree, who handed a debut to 19-year-old central defender Zak Jules, making his senior debut after signing on loan from Reading, will now switch their attention to next weekend’s FA Trophy tie at home to Torquay United.

Meanwhile, the Iron’s National League match at Borehamwood – postponed because of a frozen pitch last Tuesday – has now been rearranged for December 20 (kick-off 7.45pm).