The dream is over. City's Steve Strong can't believe the scoreline as the referee blows the final whistle. 04/11/04SALISBURY City's dreams of reaching the First Round proper of the FA Cup for the second successive season were shattered on Sunday when they went down 3-2 against Ryman League Premier Division rivals Slough Town.

A scrappy 88th minute goal undid all of City's hard work after they had twice clawed their way back into the contest after initally going behind inside two minutes.

The defeat proved a bitter pill to swallow after the draw for the next round had paired the tie's winners with League One outfit Walsall.

The Saddlers' player-manager Paul Merson was among a bumper crowd of more than a thousand at Windsor & Eton's Stag Meadow ground, temporary home of Slough.

City boss Nick Holmes, who had flown in from Florida especially for the tie, said: "It would have been wonderful to have taken on Paul Merson and his team at our place, but we can't dwell on what might have been. That's cup football for you."

Robbie Matthews had levelled on five minutes, only for City to concede again 11 minutes later.

Substitute Adam Wallace coolly converted a second half penalty and with City playing the more attractive football, hopes were high that Salisbury, who took on Sheffield Wednesday in the First Round last year, would go on to win the tie.

The least they expected was a replay, but a lapse in concentration allowed the home side to take the lead for a third time.

There was still time for another Whites equaliser, but Wayne Turk somehow missed the target from close range deep into added time.

Salisbury are on FA Trophy duty on Saturday when Conference South outfit Thurrock visit Old Sarum for their FA Trophy First Round tie.