LAVERSTOCK and Ford bowed out of the FA Cup to non-league giants Gosport Borough under the lights in front of a packed Dell on Friday night but it was not without brave effort against a very strong Southern Premier outfit.

The Bulldogs were trying to repeat their fantastic run to the Second Qualfying round of last season but just as they did against Taunton in that memorable game, they found themselves 1-0 down inside three minutes.

Jordon Matthews lost concentration and allowed the forwards to nip the ball off him to strike and silence the home support who were still pouring in the gate.

To their credit for the rest of the first half, Lavvy matched their superior opponents, often frustrating them and creating chances of their own.

Gosport were kept at bay until the 38th minute, a clever move led to a neat finish at the back post and sent the visitors in two goals to the good.

If Lavvy were going to give themselves a chance they would need to start better than the first half but lightening did strike twice, Matthews conceding a penalty inside three minutes which was scored before a weak piece of defending allowed a cross, the free header should have been kept out but somehow squirmed under Gunstone Grey to make it four and all but over.

Both sides made changes, Lavvy needed something and in right back, Harvey Roberts, he burst forward, after a couple of blocks, Tommy was bundled over, penalty to Laverstock, skipper, Bourner stepped up to smash home the spot kick, much to the delight of the home crowd.

Lavvy pushed for a second and just as they were on top, Gosport produced a deadly counter-attack and a swift move made it five, before sub Wakeford linked well with Chae Sykes and scored after a slick home move to make it 2-5.

Inside the final five minutes with bodies looking broken, the fitness of the semi-pro side prevailed and a quick fire smart double made the scoreline a little harsh on Lavvy.

As the whistle blew, the home side were cheered off for their efforts as Gosport cruised into the second Qualifying round.

Final score 2-7.

Lavvy manager Liam McConnell Liam said afterwards: “Right now, it’s a feeling of regret, we made some real howlers today and you cannot do that against these kinds of teams. Yes, you may get away with it at times in our league but certainly not here. I feel for the boys they know they are better than that and the scoreline is irrelevant, we won't dwell on that.

"It’s a great learning curve and one where I will wish we had been better, that first half aside from two errors which were punished we matched them. But that took a lot of concentration and effort but they can do it and that’s the confidence they can take from this game.

"I was pleased to give the crowd something to cheer, some good play at times deserved a couple of goals, we should have made it 3-5 with Chae and the last ten mins would have been interesting. But best of luck to Gosport, a great side, professional and came here showing us plenty of respect with their strongest side”.