A CLASSY brand of professional finishing not seen too many times seen at the Racecourse Ground this season proved the main difference between Ascot United and Milton Keynes Dons in their Berks & Bucks Senior Cup tie, writes Dave Wright.

Brandon Thomas-Asante scored both goals as a youthful Dons side triumphed 2-0 last Wednesday to book a quarter-final trip to Windsor.

Twenty four hours earlier the 18-year-old Ghanaian had come off the bench for the first team in their 1-1 draw with Southend United in their League One match.

The visiting side contained six young professionals, including goalkeeper Wieger Sietsma and Sam Nombe who were among the unused subs the night before. They may have produced the better football in the blustery conditions, but the Yellamen produced a spirited performance and never looked outclassed.

Ascot, in fact, were the first side to find the back of the net, but skipper Louis Bowers’s celebrations were cut short by the raised flag of the ref’s assistant.

And shortly afterwards, Ben Harris saw his 40-yard free-kick pushed aside by Dutchman Sietsma.

United’s encouraging start, however, was blunted by Thomas-Asante in the 18th minute when he latched onto a long defence-splitting through ball and hit a sharp left-footer past keeper Lee Allen.

The hosts then lost James Goodey through injury and not long afterwards Harris was left limping, which later saw him replaced at half time.

Giorgio Rasulo, Hugo Logan and Thomas-Asante all created chances to increase their side’s lead, but Ascot were still very much in the game and it needed a finger-tipped save by Sietsma to keep out Sami Regragui’s effort from 30 yards which looked destined for the top corner.

At the other end, Allen did equally well to push Thomas-Asante’s effort onto the inside of the post before gathering the rebound.

But for the second time in the game, it was a touch of class that brought Dons their vital second goal. Logan played Thomas-Asante through on the left and he rounded the advancing Allen to shoot home on 65 minutes.

With his first-team manager Robbie Neilson looking on, the lively Thomas-Asante got the ball into the net again, only to be ruled offside. Ascot suffered another 2-0 defeat on Saturday, this time away to Longlevens, leaving them without a win in 10 games.

New signing Trevor Mutero started for Ascot, but it was Josh Dillon who threatened first when his 17th-minute shot was well saved by Ashe Winte.

However, the hosts struck four minutes later when captain Craig Martin headed home a right-wing cross.

United’s Callum Carlisle saw a header saved before Myron Turner scored a second goal for Longlevens in the 53rd minute when he raced clear and lobbed Lee Allen.

Mutero shot just wide again for Ascot in a half where they created more of the chances.

Ascot now have four successive home games, starting with a visit from Brimscombe & Thrupp this Saturday.

MK will return to East Berkshire to play Windsor, while the other Senior Cup quarter-final pairings are Thatcham v Woodley United (on December 12), Bracknell v Slough or Wantage (who play on December 19) and Didcot v Maidenhead United or Chesham United.