The Moles faced their sternest test this season against opponents who had won 18 and drawn one of their 19 league matches.

However, the Moles gave Larkhall a good run for their money and Tallentire was pleased with his side’s performance in the third round of the competition.

He told the News: “I wasn’t too upset with the result because the players gave it their absolute all and when they do that it’s a little bit easier to swallow defeat.

“I was proud of the work-rate and effort the players put in.” He added: “It was a close game and both teams were quite evenly matched.

Seb Bowerman was at the heart of Moles’ best early efforts as his cut back ricocheted off a defender onto the bar while James Tyrell also had a sniff of goal but could only direct his shot straight at Larkhall keeper Chris Snoody.

The game then had its first controversial moment on 17 minutes, as Tallentire explained: ”I thought we just shaded the first half, we hit the post and the bar and were unfortunate not to get a penalty.” He said the penalty Ben Sturgess gave away was ‘soft’ and that they should have had one themselves just moments later when Adam Cornell was tripped on the edge of the box.

“Even if it’s on the line of the box then that’s a penalty,” he said.

However, the Moles were let off when Tyler Sibbick blazed over from the penalty spot to ensure the sides went in level at the break.

The Larks stepped it up in the second half and pressed the Moles back. Shaun Coker kept Binfield level with two fine saves, first getting down well to block at his near post and later coming off his line quickly to deflect Nat Auckland’s shot around the post.

But from the corner just past the hour mark, Auckland rose highest to head home what turned out to be the winner from six yards.

Tallentire said: “We’ve been dealing well with those recently but the guy got the jump on Gary [Callaway] and headed in.

“We still had 20 minutes to go and we made a real fist of it - we had one cleared off the line and the keeper made a good save.’’ Chances came and went for James Rusby and Jemel Johnson, who skied his effort over from 10 yards.

And with two minutes remaining, Rusby’s follow-up shot was also cleared off the line, with Binfield appealing for a penalty believing Rusby was tugged back shaping to shoot.

The Moles were unable to bounce back from the loss as they were beaten 1-0 at Wootton Bassett Town on Wednesday evening.

They are at home to Flackwell Heath this Saturday (3pm ko) and are unbeaten against the Heathens in four matches this season.