ST NEOTS 1-3 WOOTTON BLUE CROSS || ST NEOTS Town got an unwelcome blast from the past when ex-skipper Jon Hoggett returned to dump Saints out of the Hinchingbrooke Cup they won last year. Despite being 28 places below Saints in the league ladder, Wootton

ST NEOTS 1-3 WOOTTON BLUE CROSS ||

ST NEOTS Town got an unwelcome blast from the past when ex-skipper Jon Hoggett returned to dump Saints out of the Hinchingbrooke Cup they won last year.

Despite being 28 places below Saints in the league ladder, Wootton Blue Cross produced a performance beyond their recent league form to depose the reigning champions.

Showing little urgency or invention, Saints surrendered the impressive home record that has carried them to second place in the UCL Premier Division.

Former Neots captain Hoggett returned to the club he left in March, and left a happy man, after a win that consigned Neots to their fourth consecutive cup defeat. Saints must now look to the Hunts Senior Cup if they are to pick up a trophy this season.

Early on, a flowing move involving Jordan Gent, Michael Hyem and Luke Knight ended with a cross that Liam Harrold only just failed to touch into an empty net from two yards.

Harrold then set up Josh Sozzo, who stabbed the ball wide from eight yards, before Harrold volleyed another chance wide.

Hoggett produced Wootton's first attempt on goal with a fierce shot just inches wide and inevitably he put Wootton on the road to victory after 18 minutes.

Hoggett rose high above the St Neots defence to meet a free kick and head Paul Nigro's cross beyond Luke McShane.

Harrold and Knight had chances afterwards, but visiting keeper Nathan Kidd was alive to the task.

Hoggett stretched Wootton's lead after 28 minutes when he headed home Michael Peters' corner to make the score 2-0.

Controversy followed as Knight was felled in the box when running through on goal, but the assistant deemed it to have been outside the box and a free kick was awarded.

Harrold was replaced with Jon Docker at the break, but to little avail. Josh Sozzo was denied a penalty after being brought down from behind.

Docker was soon replaced by Tony Scully after a rash tackle, but Saints got back on terms when Jordan Gent headed in.

Despite further half-chances, Saints could not get on terms and Michael Peters sealed their fate when he netted Wootton's third to dump St Neots out of a competition they won last May.