The Bucks are out of the FA Trophy after a 1-0 defeat at step 4 Hadley.

The Bucks best moments in the first half came from Remi Walker’s corners and freekicks; Jordan Piggott going the closest from a corner, but his effort was cleared off the line. Kevin Wilkin’s men created little from open play in the opening 45 though, and the home side deserved their 1-0 lead at the break, which was given to them thanks to a wonderful strike from George Alfieri in the 28th minute. The Bucks could only partially clear a Hadley corner, and Alfieri leathered the ball through the crowded box and into the net.

Wilkin’s men were much improved after the break and dominated the second period, but they couldn’t find a way through a resolute Bricks defence. Matty Stenson might have done better after Ricardo Dinanga did well down the left and squared it to the Bucks’ front man, but Stenson ballooned over. While the closest the Bucks came to a leveller was Sam Whittall’s rising 87th minute shot that rattled the crossbar. But the Bucks simply weren’t incisive enough and couldn’t find the goals that would have kept them in the hat.

Congratulations to Hadley, who reach the FA Trophy Third Round for the first time in their history.