PETERSFIELD Town put up a good fight against AFC Totton, but were knocked out of the Russell Cotes Cup 2-1 in a well-contested game against their Southern League Division One South opponents.
The hosts started well and nearly took the lead when Adam McWilliam cut inside and his effort hit the post.
The Rams also had their chances and Matt Low laid the ball off to the oncoming Ryan Kennedy, who blasted over.
Totton were dangerous on the counter-attack and Rams keeper Matt Petts had to make a routine stop, tipping the ball over the crossbar.
The home side went close again when Liam Callaghan raced in on goal and flashed a shot to the far post. The effort went wide and narrowly missed Mohamed Bakary, who was sliding in at the far post.
Marvin Orepo went close for Petersfield, but his effort was well blocked by Jack Martin, and Jake Bourton’s follow up was well caught by Martin.
Totton took the lead on 34 minutes when Callaghan pushed Charlie Merritt off the ball and put the ball past Petts.
The visitors responded well and Harry Tremlett nearly equalised with a fierce volley.
Totton almost doubled their lead after the break through Bakary, but Petts pulled off an excellent block on the line and the ball was cleared.
The second goal arrived on 52 minutes. Silvano Obeng beat Bourton for pace and fed a ball into Craig Feeney, who calmly tapped home.
The Rams pulled a goal back when Martin was forced into a heavy touch under pressure from Low. Will Webb collected the ball and took a couple of touches before lifting it over Martin to set up a tense finale.
Deep into stoppage time Petersfield’s Jordan Neal appeared to be brought down inside the box, but no penalty was given.