Godmanchester Rovers have seen their final hope of silverware disappear.

Ollie Drake’s side were beaten in a Hinchingbrooke Cup quarter-final last night (Monday).

They suffered a 3-0 loss at the hands of Deeping Rangers – the same team who dumped them out of the FA Vase back in November.

It would have been a heavier defeat but for a series fine saves from goalkeeper Phil Peachey on a night when Rovers failed to hit top gear. Their only shot on target came from Tom Spark in the closing stages.

Drake admitted: “It was a game we could have done without in all honesty.

“We had a lot of possession, but we didn’t have anything to show for it in the end. Our quality wasn’t quite there all over the pitch.

“We played a hand in all three of the Deeping goals with mistakes and that’s not something a manager ever likes to see.

“But Deeping have a very good front four and we’ve not faced many teams this season who would give them a run for their money.

“It’s obviously disappointing to see our last hope of a trophy disappear. We would have love to make it to a final and have the chance of lifting a cup, but it’s not to be.

“We can’t let it derail us, though. We have a hugely important spell coming up.”

Rovers’ sole focus is now securing third place in the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division. They currently sit fourth but must squeeze their eight remaining Premier Division fixtures into just two-and-a-half weeks.

It’s a demanding conclusion to a lengthy campaign, but one Drake is determined to ensure is successful. It begins with a series of three home games in six days as his side host Kirkley & Pakefield tomorrow night (Wednesday), Gorleston this Saturday and Stanway Rovers on Tuesday.

Drake added: “It’s a crazy schedule, but thankfully we have a big squad with plenty of good players.

“I’ll do all I can to keep players as fresh as possible, but we’re going to have get the most out of resources.

“There will be lots of minutes for every member of the squad and everyone will have a big part to play in trying to earn us third place.”

Defender Tom Moran provided a timely boost for Drake when making his first appearance since October at Deeping. He completed almost an hour after a serious Achilles problem.