Gloucester City 2, Evesham Utd 0

MISSED chances and a couple of dubious offside decisions saw the Robins crash out of the FA Trophy at the first hurdle.

The final scoreline was harsh on Phil Mullen's side who were full value for at least a second bite of the cherry and, with a little good fortune, could have pulled off a surprise victory.

Craig Ball replaced the ineligible Sean Flynn, while Shaun Pratt made way for Wesley Joyce in an otherwise unchanged side from the one that had defeated Solihull Borough seven days earlier.

Joyce netted early on but the effort was ruled out for offside as United started brightly. However, the failure to make the most of their bulk of possession in the opening half-an-hour, cost Evesham dear as City scored from their first attack when Andy Hoskins slipped the ball past Tim Clarke.

Joyce had been replaced by Steve Lutz prior to the goal and the substitute provided Mark Shepherd with a glorious chance to level on the stroke of half-time but the top scorer headed wide from point-blank range.

Lee Jeffries provided an aerial threat after the break but United survived only to be foiled again by a debatable decision.

Gloucester goalkeeper Eric Barratt fumbled a shot from Inderpaul Khela and Grant Pinkney netted the rebound only for the goal to again be wiped out.

It wasn't United's afternoon and their misery was heightened when a header from Khela bounced agonisingly the wrong side of a post and Barratt produced a fine stop to keep out Pinkney's late strike.

And, just to cap the most frustrating of afternoons, Jimmy Cox broke away in stoppage time and crossed for the unmarked Lee Smith to tap in City's second and secure the relieved Tigers a place in the first round.