Kingstonian 5, Devizes Town 2

DEVIZES Town's best FA Cup run in nearly 30 years ended in tears, quite literally for teenage full back Chris Copp.

Slick finishing by one of the top non-league players in the country and poor defending by Devizes cost Brian Newlands' team the chance of a FA Cup fourth qualifying round upset on Saturday.

To rub salt into the wound they had teenager defender Chris Copp sent off in the closing stages for an innocuous looking challenge.

Newlands was disappointed with the result, but even more upset with the dismissal of Copp, a decision which left the 19-year-old in tears and the Kingstonian bench joining with Devizes in protesting at the referee's decision.

"I felt very sorry for Chris, because I don't think it was even a foul," said Newlands.

"It was a very harsh decision and one that ruined his day and ours."

Newlands had few complaints with the result, but was left with a few 'if onlys' as Devizes failed to make club history by reaching the first round proper for the first time in their 111-year history.

"Perhaps with a little more luck and a little bit better defending we could have looking at a replay," said a disappointed Newlands.

"We let in two crazy goals and when you are playing a side three divisions above you in the pyramid, you simply cannot afford to do that.

"Before the match I told the players that if we were in any danger around our penalty area to kick the ball into row Z of the stand. It's not the way I like to play, but against a side like Kingstonian you just cannot take any risks.

"Unfortunately the players didn't listen and they learnt a harsh lesson.

"That said, I cannot fault the players for effort. They gave everything they had and you cannot ask for more than that."

Newlands added: "We played as well as we could have expected to against a Conference side. The scoreline flattered them, but those defensive mistakes cost us dear."

Devizes were second best for long periods of a game played in horrible, wet and windy conditions, but they were only 3-2 behind with 10 minutes to go.

However, tired legs and the controversial sending off of Copp let Kingstonian in with two late goals.

Derek Allan and Geoff Pitcher gave Kingstonian a 2-0 lead after 37 minutes.

But Barry Flippance drilled in a fabulous goal right on half-time.

Devizes held on thanks to faultless display from goalkeeper Paul Thompson until 72 minutes when Allan scored his second.

Substitute Andy Wicks scored the goal of the game with a spectacular 30-yard effort on 79 minutes.

For a brief moment Devizes' cup dream stayed alive, but two late goals from Pitcher clinched the game.

The second came from the penalty spot after Copp fouled Mark Boyce in the box, the left-back being harshly sent off.

Kingstonian boss Geoff Chapple, one of the most successful non-league managers in the country, praised Devizes for their brave performance.

He said: "It's been a great cup-run for Brian Newlands' team, but we just had that little bit extra. They played very well and it was their day. They deserve a great deal of credit both on and off the pitch."

Devizes have the consolation of picking up a total of £2,300 in prize money from their cup run and will receive more money from their share of the gate receipts from Saturday.