SLIMBRIDGE bowed out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle for the second successive season, after 120 minutes of football failed to separate the two sides in this replay.

A Josh Swales penalty after 15 minutes had given the visitors the lead, but was cancelled out by Jamie Martin’s equaliser on 55 minutes. The sides could not be separated either at 90 minutes, or after an extra period of 30 minutes, so the tie was settled on penalties.

Two Swans penalty misses by Tom Cole and Alex Parrott proved decisive, and it was left to Luke Tovey to convert the winning penalty for Saracens, who now travel to Binfield in the next round of the competition.

Slimbridge return to league action on Saturday, when Bristol Manor Farm visit Wisloe Road, before travelling to Cadbury Heath next Wednesday (7.45pm) for the game that was postponed to accommodate the FA Cup replay.

FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round: Cheltenham Sarcens 0 Slimbridge 0

THE first meeting between Slimbridge and Cheltenham Saracens ended in a goalless draw at Petersfield Park on Saturday.

After surviving a first half onslaught from the hosts, which saw superb performances from all of the back four, Slimbridge had the better of the second period, and were unlucky not to win the tie in the end.

Slimbridge started well before Sarries began to take control of the game, and Jamie Hammond and Jordan Bryan both worked Dave Evans in the Slimbridge goal.

Lee Bolger was beginning to be aerial threat to the Swans, and went close with a free kick on 23 minutes, but Sarries still couldn’t break through a determined Swans backline, with Adam Hughes and Will Wellon impressive.

Niall Halford shrugged off his groin injury from midweek to put in a strong performance and Dominique Njoya brought calmness and stability to the Swans’ play.

Slimbridge had a rare opportunity on 34 minutes, when Marv Roberts played a one-two with Hughes before drilling his shot over the bar.

The Swans were greatly improved going forward in the second period, and Martin and Roberts began to look dangerous. Martin almost scored on 54 minutes, and Roberts had probably the closest effort all game, when his glancing header from Dean Turner’s cross drifted just the wrong side of the upright.

An Aaron Nash shot went too high, and Roberts again went close, but the goal wouldn’t come for the visiting side.

On 83 minutes, Saracens’ Sean McKeon led with his elbow going into a challenge with Njoya, and was shown a straight red card by referee James Whittington.

The introduction of Jack Twyman for the final minutes saw Slimbridge create some more good chances, but they were unable to take advantage and a draw was the fair result on the day.

Slimbridge: Evans, Hughes, Njoya, Halford (Bernard 65), Wellon, Cole, Turner, Ward, Roberts, Martin, Nash (Twyman 75).

Man of The Match: Will Wellon.