BRACKNELL Town failed to learn from an early mistake and paid the price in their FA Cup preliminary round tie on Saturday, going down 2-1 at Egham, writes Dave Wright.

With 10 minutes gone, they conceded a free kick 20 yards out and Bajram Pashaj hammered the ball over the wall into the top left-hand corner.

Keeper Karl Steinborn-Busse was then forced to keep out Chris Henry’s efforts with his legs as his defence was caught square.

Soon afterwards, under-pressure Robins conceded another free kick and this time Wes Daly drove in a curling shot that Steinborn-Busse just failed to keep out, diving low towards his right-hand post.

To add to Bracknell’s early problems, they then lost Craig Short through an injury he had suffered in the warm-up and Kensley Maloney took over in midfield.

Steinborn-Busse, deputising for the unavailable Chris Grace, came to his side’s rescue again, but by now the visitors were starting to settle into the game.

They had a golden chance to pull one back when Joe Grant found himself unmarked in front of goal, only to fire wide of the post.

The next chance fell to Adam Cornell (pictured right), only his weak effort caused no problems for James Reading in the home goal.

However, Cornell made no mistake deep into stoppage time at the end of the first half with a firm header into the net following good work by Grant and Jahson Downes.

Realising they were losing control, the Southern League side made two substitutes at the start of the second half.

And the scores could easily have been level within the opening minute, with Grant setting up a chance that Maloney fired narrowly wide.

Egham, who look a poor side by Southern League standards, slowed the game down in a bid to frustrate Bracknell and it largely worked.

The Robins were unable to find that extra bit of spark and were fortunate not to have conceded a late third when substitute Zak Joseph missed a real sitter for Egham.

Robins were also lucky to end the game with 11 men. As Pashaj raced clear, he was brought down by Downes just outside the penalty area, but, to everyone’s surprise, referee Ron Albert, only showed a yellow card.

Even Robins manager Mark Tallentire admitted: “It looked a straight red to me.”

He added: “We didn’t deserve to lose, so we are all naturally disappointed. We would liked to have got something out of the game and got a little cup run going.”

Bracknell, who beat Thatcham in the previous round of the FA Cup, have also been drawn against the Kingfishers in the Berks & Bucks Senior Trophy.

The first-round tie will be played in early October and could be the opening game on the new 3G pitch at Larges Lane.