Town's youngsters were beaten 2-1 in the FA Youth Cup third round by Notts County after extra-time. In an entertaining game played in sodden conditions, the Blues perhaps deserved more, particularly from their second half performance and will rue missed chances.

Matt Richards, playing an unfamiliar central midfield role, was the best known of the Town starters with striker Dean Bowditch and captain Chris Hogg at centre-back both England internationals and now reserves regulars.

There was an early scare for Town when Aiden Collins was caught in possession inside his own box. He would have been relieved to see Harrard's low cross evade any of the other Notts County attackers.

The Blues' first chance fell to Daniel Flack from a Antonio Murray through ball, but keeper Greg Smith saved. A minute later Dean Bowditch's low ball across the area failed to find a Town foot to convert it.

Leon Best went close for Notts County in the 12th minute, heading a corner straight at Town keeper Scott Peat but seven minutes later it was his tap-in which would put his side in front.

Tricky right-winger Craig Appleby broke down the right and cut-back inside two defenders. His ball across fell to Shaun Harrad inside the area and his low ball found Best who poked home from a few yards out.

Town failed to create too many clear-cut openings until the 27th minute when Flack broke on the right. With Dean Bowditch calling for the ball unmarked in the centre Flack hit his shot wide of the post.

As the game moved into first half injury time Town had their best chance yet. Erkan Okay came forward on the right and played a ball into Bowditch inside the area where he was clattered from behind by County's Danny Bostock. Referee Pearce pointed straight to the spot.

Skipper Chris Hogg stepped up to take it, but like a couple of the club's senior players in Liberec last week, hit a low weak kick to keeper Greg Smith's left which he had no trouble in saving. The half-time whistle blew while County were still celebrating the miss.

Town's closest early chance in the second half saw Dean Bowditch hit a promising 51st minute effort just wide from the edge of the area.

Notts County were clearly looking to hold onto their lead by defending in numbers and keeper Greg Smith was holding onto everything that Town were sending into the box.

But on 58 Town were back on terms. Flack put a ball in from the right after a slick interchange of passes and Bowditch stroked the ball across the box and Murray finished from five yards out.

The goal seemed to give Town confidence and not long the highly impressive Bowditch set-up Barron ten yards out but Smith got down to his right to tip round the post.

On 76 Collins came close with a header from a Richards corner but the ball went wide of the post. A minute later Murray broke down the middle but Smith was off his line quickly to cut the chance out.

With nine minutes left on the clock Town decided to make a change, Craig Reid coming on for scorer Antonio Murray.

Town were coming closer and closer to a winner but Notts County were hanging on. On 87 Bowditch played Flack in down the right and his low was met by sub Reid but the ball squeezed just by the post.

A minute later there was an agonising moment for Town as an Emmet Friars' corner avoided everybody in the box. That was the last serious goalmouth incident of the 90 minutes and it was into extra-time.

Town keeper Scott Peat almost gave Notts County a goal in the 109th minute as a long ball slid off his foot and nearly fell for scorer Best. Fortunately Collins was over to cover.

But Best was not to be kept down and as Town failed to clear the ball on 111 he lashed the ball past Peat from the edge of the area.

With two minutes left of the first fifteen minutes the Blues made another change, Liam Manning coming on for Scott Barron. Town made their third sub a minute into the second period, Adem Atay coming on for Stuart Boardley.

As the game entered the last ten minutes it was all Town pressure but the final ball just wouldn't seem to fall for the by now many Blues' forward players. Despite it being all Town, County's defence held onto their lead and the Blues bowed out of the competition disappointingly early.

Town: Peat, Okay, Boardley (Atay 116), Collins, Hogg, Mitchell, Flack, Richards, Murray (Reid 81), Bowditch, Barron (Manning 113).

Photo: Action Images

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