WORCESTER City bowed out of the FA Trophy when suffering a 4-1 defeat at Aldershot Town on Saturday.
Brett Williams’ brace and strikes from Manny Oyeleke and Aiden O’Brien cancelled out an early strike from Ethan Moore to ensure the Skrill Conference Premier side made it through to the third round.
The Shots started the game with purpose but it was the visitors who took the lead inside 12 minutes when Moore latched onto Danny Glover’s through ball and curled the ball home from inside the box.
Ten minutes later the hosts were back on level terms after O’Brien was released by Craig Stanley’s pass over the top and the Milwall loanee calmly dinked his effort past Jose Veiga.
It could have been 2-1 to Aldershot minutes later when Jayden Gibb’s low cross was put wide by Jordan Roberts before Moore’s tame effort from the edge of the box was comfortably saved by Jonny Henly.
A piece of individual brilliance gave Town the lead after 34 minutes and it was Manny Oyeleke who drove at the heart of the City defence, evaded several challenges and fired past Veiga.
The Portuguese stopper had to be at his best once more as he denied Richard Munday from heading into his own net before Glover had his effort deflected just wide.
Aldershot bagged their third of the game after 65 minutes as Veiga initially kept out O’Brien’s header with a diving save, Williams was on hand to bundle the ball home to put the Conference side in control.
Despite the scoreline, Worcester did not let their heads drop and when Moore was denied by a last ditch challenge in the box, players and staff were incensed that the officials did not blow for a penalty.
And as the Skrill Conference North side continued their positivity, Aldershot handed the knockout blow with five minutes remaining when Williams was on hand to score on the rebound after Veiga had saved Williams initial effort.
City boss Carl Heeley, said: “We’re a little bit disappointed in our performance today because it was there for an upset and we proved in the first half we were capable of doing it.
“We set out to try and get the first goal because we seem to be a better side when we do that. But the frustrating thing for me was the goals we conceded, all of them really could have been avoided and certainly the two in the first half.”
“I think 4-1 is a little bit flattering to be honest.”
City are back in league action on Saturday when they host Harrogate Town at Aggborough.
