DIDCOT Town’s dreams of replicating last year’s FA Cup run ended at the first hurdle at Ascot on Saturday.

The Railwaymen, who reached the first round last season before losing to Exeter City in front of the TV cameras, crashed 4-3 to Ascot United in the preliminary round.

For 75 minutes the Railwaymen were stuck in the starting stalls as their Hellenic League opponents built up a three-goal advantage.

A Charlie Samuels double, plus a strike from Louie Gilpin, put the visitors 3-0 ahead after 57 minutes.

Samuels fluffed a chance to complete a hat-trick by missing a penalty in the penalty area.

Didcot had produced a miraculous fightback to down Wantage at the same stage last season and When Jack Powell’s goal was followed by a Ben Whitehead penalty, the visitors sensed a comeback.

But Samir Regragui headed in Ascot’s fourth before Didcot player-manager Andy Ballard completed the scoring in injury time.

Didcot Tn: Bedwell, Collins, Martin, Ballard, Elkins, Learoyd, Janes, Keeble (Woodhouse HT), Whitehead, Brooks (Longford 69), Reid (Powell 61).

Attendance: 77.

Wantage Town’s player-manager Stuart Cattell headed two goals to lead his side into the next round with a 4-2 win over Hanworth Villa.

He nodded home after only three minutes, before Todd Hathaway doubled the lead.

But Hanworth took advantage of a mistake by Wantage keeper Eddie Cavanagh to make it 2-1.

Harvey Scholes, made it 3-1, before Levi King pulled a goal back.

Cattell headed home again to secure a home tie against either Beaconsfield or Marlow on September 3.

Wantage Tn: Cavanagh, Elliot, McNeil, Glover, Cattell, Kalakoutis (Johns 65), Jones, Robinson, Hathaway (Scholes HT), Francis, Butler. Subs not used: Thorpe,Scholes, Gunaratnam-Bailey, Ferris.

Attendance: 78.