STRATFORD Town exited the FA Cup at the First Round Qualifying stage following a 3-2 defeat against 10-man Worksop Town.
After Worksop raced into a two-goal lead, Owen James reduced the deficit only for the visitors to strike again before the break at the Arden Garages Stadium.
Worksop had Sam Wedgebury sent off in first-half injury time as Alex Worley struck late on for the Bards with Stratford unable to find a leveller.
The Northern Premier League Premier side took the lead on eight minutes when Daniel Bramall finished at the second attempt.
And Worksop doubled their lead four minutes later as Jordan Burrow headed home from close range.
The Bards halved the deficit on 25 minutes as Callum Ebanks outpaced the Worksop defence and squared for James to volley home.
However, Worksop restored their two-goal advantage on 36 minutes when Hamza Bencherif found the bottom left corner from close range.
The Bards received a boost shortly before half time when Wedgebury picked up a second yellow card for a challenge on James.
Gavin Hurren’s men finally made the extra man count on 82 minutes as substitute Worley drove a shot through a crowd of bodies to set up a grandstand finish.
However, Worksop held on as the Bards exited the FA Cup at the First Round Qualifying stage.
Stratford are next in action against Bedford Town on Saturday, September 7 with kick-off at 3pm at the Arden Garages Stadium.
