ARDLEY United fell at the first hurdle in the Emirates FA Cup as they crashed to a 4-1 extra preliminary round defeat at home to Tuffley Rovers.

With half an hour gone the visitors were 2-0 up, thanks to Anthony Herrin and Macauley Herbert.

After the break, Ardley pulled a goal back through Chris Jackson, but Stuart Griffith and Mark Ford helped Tuffley advance.

Ardley had struggled in their 2-0 Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division defeat to Longlevens four days earlier.

And it got no better here as they conceded the softest of opening goals, when a routine left wing cross was not cleared, allowing Herrin to slot the ball past Jack Goode.

Ardley went on to see more of the ball and Josh Bowden had a shot blocked, before the same player crossed well for Luke Ingram, but his header went over the bar.

But Tuffley continued to threaten and when Ashley Davies’s shot struck the woodwork, Griffith shot horribly wide with the goal at his mercy.

Minutes later the Gloucestershire visitors did double their lead, when Herrin recycled a corner with a cross headed in by Macauley Herbert.

Ardley’s only shot of note during the rest of the half came from Adam Beckett, but his speculative effort from distance did not trouble Tuffley keeper Aaron Taylor.

United improved after the break and with an hour gone they got back into the game.

A diagonal ball from the right flank into the box was met by Jackson, who headed home.

The game was in the balance, but Tuffley grabbed the allimportant next goal 20 minutes from time.

Griffith made up for his earlier miss scoring on the rebound after Goode had blocked the initial effort.

Ardley had chances through Ingram and substitutes Kieran Scott and Andrew Prescott, but none of them were converted.

They took risks to try and salvage a replay, but deep into stoppage time the hosts were caught on the break.

Mark Ford broke down the left side before cutting in and slotting the ball past Goode to send his team through.