Didcot Town’s hopes of making their own piece of FA Cup history came to an end at Loop Meadow on Saturday as they were beaten 1-0 by Arlesey Town in the fourth qualifying round on Saturday, writes Jack Johnson.

Arlesey captain Ryan Frater headed the only goal of the game on 25 minutes to give the Evo-Stik Southern Premier side the win and prevent Didcot from making the first round for the first time.

However, it was Gary Elkins’s side that started the stronger. Morgan Williams, who passing a late fitness test, had the first chance, but he was unable to beat keeper Nathan Abbey.

Abbey was then called into action again just minutes later as Elliott Osborne-Ricketts and Williams combined once more, only for the goalkeeper to beat the latter to the ball.

Arlesey soon called Marcos Bellolli-Periera into action as the Didcot goalkeeper kept out a ferocious 20 yard volley from Chris Dillon on 17 minutes and then saved well down to his left from Drew Roberts .

The visitors took the lead following Sol Davis’s free-kick , Frater rising above the Didcot defence to head the ball home.

Chances were few and far between but Bellolli-Periera and Gareth Thomas combined well to prevent Dillon doubling Arlesey’s lead just before the break.

The second half saw Didcot dominate possession, but they were open to counter-attacks, with Roberts firing wide from 20 yards.

An interchange of passes between Didcot’s Lance Will-iams and Jamie Heapy resulted in the former forcing save from Abbey, before Williams headed substitute Pablo Haysham’s free-kick just over.

With two minutes to go Lancre Williams was denied by Abbey from a tight angle and the Didcot dream was over.

Didcot Town: Bellolli-Periera, S Elkins, Thomas, Henderson, Heapy (Pierson 77), Tappin (Haysham 55), L Williams, Osborne-Ricketts, M Williams, Clark, Bowles (Stanley 67). Subs not used: Janes, Concannon.

Attendance: 414.