SAINTS’ interest in this season’s FA Vase came to an end on Saturday following a narrow defeat against their United Counties League title rivals.

FA VASE FIFTH ROUND

King’s Lynn Town 2 (Defty 52, Harris 64)

St Neots Town 1 (Webb pen 60)

SAINTS’ interest in this season’s FA Vase came to an end on Saturday following a narrow defeat against their United Counties League title rivals.

Jack Defty and Robbie Harris found the net for the Linnets either side of a Lewis Webb penalty for the visitors in front of 1,612 at the Walks.

This defeat for Neots came just a week after their painful 4-2 league reverse at the Hunts Post Community Stadium but, with promotion the priority this season, the loss is unlikely to be one they will dwell on for long.

Tim Trebes retained the number one jersey, while the versatile Micky Hyem slotted into midfield in place of Junior Kanuda, who was only fit enough for the bench.

Chances came and went in a scoreless first half - Shane Tolley and Lewis Hilliard both wasteful in front of goal – before Lynn seized the initiative seven minutes after the re-start.

An uncharacteristic error by Will Fordham led to the goal, as he misjudged a tackle on Chris Bacon on the bye-line.

And there waiting to take full advantage was the predatory Defty, who stabbed the resultant cross into the net from close range.

Neots then levelled eight minutes later through Webb from the spot, after Ross Watson’s challenge on Dan Jacob inside the box.

But they were back on level terms for just four minutes as sub Robbie Harris – who had just replaced last weekend’s hat-trick hero Stephen Spriggs – shot home through a packed penalty area from a Jamie Thurlbourne corner with his first touch.

On as a last throw of the dice, Saints sub Roy Essandoh wasted a glorious chance to send the game into extra time on 82 minutes, when his effort was smothered on the line by Luke Thurlbourne.

It was the second time that St Neots have bowed out of the competition at this stage, having also reached the last 16 back in 2001/02, when they were beaten 2-0 at Durham City.

St Neots: Trebes, D Moore, Davis, Webb, Fuff, Fordham, Hilliard (Scully 56), Hyem (Essandoh 81), S Moore, Tolley (Kanuda 73), Jacob.

Subs not used: Gent, McShane.