Miles Rutherford’s Chichester City were devastated after being were beaten 1-0 by 1874 Northwich in the 90th minute of this FA Vase clash.
Chi had already made history by making it this far in the competition and despite a valiant effort from City, the better team was victorious on the day.
Rutherford said: “We tried as hard as we could. It’s disappointing to lose in the 90th minute but if I’m honest they controlled the game.
“They didn’t necessarily have loads of chances. We defended ever so well today. They must have had 80 per cent of the ball in the first half. They made us work hard and pulled us into places we didn’t want to be.
“All credit to Northwich. I hope they do well in the next round. I think they will. They’re a very good side.”
Chichester will have to shake off this defeat and turn their attention to their next fixture which sees them face Haywards Heath in the quarter-final of the Peter Bentley Challenge Cup on Tuesday.
City keeper, Ant Ender, was called into action early in the first half. First, making a fine save after a Northwich cross. Then, he had to be alert to react to a poor back-pass from Harry Williams and clear his lines.
Jimmy Wild, who is back at the club on a dual signing, raced down the left wing only to have his shot denied by 74’s keeper.
Ender was able to get down low to his left to make a smart save, before a mix-up from Williams and Charlie Williamson almost gave Northwich an easy goal if not for another Ender save.
Chi’s biggest chance of the half came when Kieran Hartley saw his long-distance effort smash the crossbar.
Ender made a number of fine saves in the second half and Jack Lee and Ben Pashley went close with their efforts.
It seemed that extra-time was needed to find a winner but in the 89th minute 74’s Ryan Mitchell scored from close range, after Chi switched off at a set-piece, to send the hosts into the next round.
Chichester: Ender, Williamson, Lee, Williams, Martin, French, Hartley, Haitham, Dolcetti, Herbert, Wild. Subs (Pashley, Ndlovu, Killner, Hutchings, Turnbull)
Pictures: Tommy McMillan | Additional reporting: Chichester City FC website
