ARDLEY United’s FA Cup aspirations were torn apart by visitors Highworth Town, who won the all-Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division preliminary round clash 3-0.

The home side were twice denied by the frame of the goal and could find no way past Highworth keeper Max Schofield.

Ardley looked to have taken the lead on the half-hour, when a Jacob Daffern cross was deftly flicked on by Troy Bryan, but bounced back off a post.

Four minutes later, the visitors went ahead when Ryan Stanners scored with a great strike from 20 yards

. Fifteen minutes from time, Kieron Gleed doubled the Wiltshire side’s lead, firing home from the edge of the box.

With time running out for Ardley, Bradley Cox’s header came back off the Highworth bar.

The ball was then cleared upfield where Gleed slotted home his second to secure their win and a place in the next round.

Ardley Utd: Beesley, Daffern, Bayliss, Meade, Jackson, Cray (Cruse 67), Tappin (Cox 79), Morris, Talabi, Katsoloudi (Knight 57), Bryan. Subs not used: Markham, Farrow Jeacock, Ross. Attendance: 54