THE FENMEN may have wasted their opportunity to progress into the next round of the FA Cup after letting a two-goal advantage slip away at Fenland Park on Saturday.

Manager Steve Taylor was very disappointed with the result. “We played well in the first half and might have gone 3-0 up had Nick Impey put away a chance. But their goal on the stroke of half-time was big blow to us. had we gone in 2-0 up it may may have been different.

“We were not so good after the break and having Gary Setchell sent off did not help. It was stupid thing to do and he apologised to everyone after wards.”

Wisbech should really have had this tie sewn up in the first half even though there was huge element of luck to the goal that gave them a lead after 20 minutes.

Mildenhall defender Michael Harvey was determined to get to the ball in front of Bill Smith on the edge of the box but sliced his clearance over the goalkeeper’s head and into the net.

Mildenhall lost from Fenmen player Robbie Harris with damaged ankle ligaments soon after and after 32 minutes Wisbech were 2-0 up.

A cross from Jamie Thurlbourne was only half cleared and dropped into the path of James McManus who a shot from inside the penalty area into the far corner of the net and it did look as though Wisbech were on their way to the next round.

But a killer goals almost on the stroke of half-time was bitter blow to Wisbech's hopes with a tremendous strike from Owen Payment from the edge of the area that gave Chris Horton little chance of saving.

The goal really deflated Wisbech's game and in the second half it was the visitors who took command in midfield and they were on level terms 10 minutes into the second half. It was two substitute’s who combined for the goal when Chris Bacon headed home from close range after a cross by substitute Tony Scully, the former QPR and Peterborough player who was a big influence in Mildehhall’s revival.

Hopes of a Wisbech revival were scuppered 13 minutes from the end when Gary Setchell was red carded for allegedly elbowing Lewis Baillle in an off-the-ball incident spotted by the linesman.

So the two sides were due to battle it out again last night at the Recreation Ground.

Wisbech: Chris Horton, Lewis Cook, Lee Day, Anthony Reeve, Gary Thurlbourne, Stuart King, Gary Setchell, James McManus, Scott Cubberley, Billy Smith, Nick Impey.

Subs used: Jason Pease, Stuart Cobb, Lewis Thompson.

March Town 1, Leiston 3

THE HARES bowed out of the FA Cup but were far from disgraced against Ridgeons Premier Division leaders Leiston.

Manager Brett Whaley said: “We were too tentative at the start and paid them too much respect. We defended well but had a lot of pressure to soak up.