BRACKNELL Town were knocked-out of the FA Cup when losing 2-1 at Egham on Saturday, writes Dave Wright.

But manager Mark Tallentire believes his side deserved at least a replay in their preliminary round tie.

“Obviously we are all disappointed,” he said.

“We deserved so much more out of the game, as we were better than them in many areas for long periods of the game.”

The Robins made a dreadful start, conceding two goals inside the opening 15 minutes, both from free-kicks.

They pulled a goal back through Adam Cornell on the stroke of half-time and looked the more likely side to score again for much of the second half.

But it just didn’t happen for them in front of goal and the Southern League side held out to book their place in the first qualifying round.

Tallentire added: “I don’t think my goalkeeper (Karl Steinborn-Busse) had a shot to save in the whole game apart from the two free-kicks we conceded early doors, and I think he should have saved the second one.

“But the first goal was absolute quality – you can’t save shots like that.

“We didn’t learn that lesson and gave away another free-kick shortly afterwards to let them get their noses two in front.

“But I was proud of my players with the way they reacted.

“We got the ball down and passed it really well and during that time we missed an open goal.”

The Bracknell boss continued: “In the second half both sides huffed and puffed. They stopped us from passing it and pressed a little bit higher. That played into their hands a little and we had to hit he ball a bit long, but we just couldn’t get the equaliser.

“They (Egham) had one chance right at the end when were pressing, but they didn’t create anything in the second half.

“I thought we deserved to equalise and in that respect we are disappointed.”

But Tallentire added: “There were still plenty of positives to come out of this game.

“I thought defensively that was our best performance so far this season. We looked very solid at the back – that was good to see.

“There are fine margins in football and for the second time in a week we have just been on the wrong side of things.

“I am sure we will play worse than that and win games.”

It was Bracknell’s second defeat in less than a week, having lost 2-0 to Highmoor Ibis last Tuesday – their first Hellenic League game at their new temporary home at Sandhurst’s Bottom Meadow.

And if Robins are to quickly return to winning form, they will have to do it the hard way as they now face three away fixtures at Thame (last night, Tuesday), Thatcham on Saturday and Ascot United on Monday.

There was FA Cup success for Ascot last weekend, as they inflicted a 4-3 defeat on Didcot Town, who had reached the first round proper last season.

The Yellamen, who led 3-0 at half-time, are rewarded with a tie against Ryman League side Tonbridge Angels at the Racecourse Ground on Sunday, September 4.