Both Bury Town and Leiston bowed out of the FA Cup at the fourth qualifying round stage on Saturday afternoon, but only after delivering brave displays and taking the lead in both matches.

Bury Mercury: Bury Town fans behind the goal that their side were attacking in the first half. They had a bird's eye view of Ollie Hughes' opening goal. Picture: CARL MARSTONBury Town fans behind the goal that their side were attacking in the first half. They had a bird's eye view of Ollie Hughes' opening goal. Picture: CARL MARSTON (Image: Archant)

Bury Town went down 2-1 at higher-level Banbury United, while fellow Suffolk side lost 3-2 at home to National League outfit Barnet.

BANBURY UNITED 2 BURY TOWN 1

Bury Town led for much of their tie in Oxfordshire, after Ollie Hughes had given them a 23rd minute lead.

Bury Mercury: Bury Town on the attack during this afternoon's FA Cup tie at Banbury UnitedBury Town on the attack during this afternoon's FA Cup tie at Banbury United (Image: Archant)

But Ben Chenery’s men could not hold out as two goals in a four-minute spell from Jack Self (78) and Henry Landers (82) won it for Banbury.

Hughes had been denied by the woodwork just four minutes before he conjured up the opening goal.

The Bury Town skipper latched onto a through ball and scampered clear of Banbury’s static defence before guiding a low shot beyond the advancing Brabdon Hall, in the home goal.

Bury players celebrated in front of their joyous away supporters, who were huddled behind that goal in the first-half drizzle.

Bury Mercury: Will Davies celebrates his first-half goal for Leiston, at home to Barnet in a pulsating FA Cup tie in Suffolk. Picture: HANNAH PARNELLWill Davies celebrates his first-half goal for Leiston, at home to Barnet in a pulsating FA Cup tie in Suffolk. Picture: HANNAH PARNELL (Image: Archant)

The visitors held out until the 78th minute, when substitute Jack Self bagged a high-class equaliser with a thunderous volley that soared into the roof of the net.

Four minutes later and Bury’s hearts were broken by a quickfire second goal. Landers lashed home a low shot to nudge Banbury 2-1 ahead.

It was a very cagey opening, with neither side threatening inside the first quarter-of-an-hour, but Bury then took temporary charge with a flurry of chances and a precious opening goal.

Jake Chamber-Shaw started a flowing move which ended with Joe Hood delivering a pinpont cross and Cemal Ramadan’s glancing header forcing an acrobatic save from Hall. The Banbury keeper arched back to claw the ball over his bar.

Bury Mercury: Leiston players celebrate a first-half goal during their FA Cup tie against Barnet. Picture: HANNAH PARNELLLeiston players celebrate a first-half goal during their FA Cup tie against Barnet. Picture: HANNAH PARNELL (Image: Archant)

Bury were just a whisker away from breaking the deadlock, from the ensuing corner on 19 minutes.

Ollie Hughes’ rocket header from Carlos Edwards’ delivery rattled off the far post, and the follow-up shot by Taylor Hasting was blocked inside a congested six-yard box.

However, Hughes did put Bury 1-0 up just four minutes later with a deadly finish, bursting clear of the Banbury back-line to steer his low shot beyond the advancing Hall.

Stung into action, Banbury came storming back and rained in shots on the visitors’ goal before half-time, only to be denied by a combination of the woodwork and some solid saves by Joe Rose.

Bury Mercury: Action from this afternoon's cracking FA Cup tie between Leiston and Barnet at Victory Road. Picture: HANNAH PARNELLAction from this afternoon's cracking FA Cup tie between Leiston and Barnet at Victory Road. Picture: HANNAH PARNELL (Image: Archant)

Henry Landers struck the post with a clinical drive on 25 minutes, and just 60 seconds later Rose smothered a long-range shot by Connor Roberts.

Pablo Haysham saw his goalbound shot ricohet off Rose, who knew very little about it, and roll to safety in the 28th minute, while on the stroke of half-time Giorgio Rasulo’s effort thudded back off the post,

Not surprisingly, the Blues were forced to defend in depth during the second half, and Banbury had appeals for a penalty turned down on the hour mark when Haysham took a tumble in the box.

Otherwise, Rose was well protected by his defence as the Blues continued to frustrate their hosts.

That was up until the 78th minute, when Rose had little chance as substitute Self volleyed superbly into the roof of the net from long-range to make it 1-1.

And Landers fired home what proved to be the winner just four minutes later.

But had strong appeals for a penalty turned down in injury-time when Chambers-Shaw appeared to be fouled by Rasulo inside the box.

After the match, Bury manager Ben Chenery said: “We should have had a definite penalty at the end, but the referee was not strong enough.

Bury Mercury: Ollie Hughes fires Bury Town into a 1-0 lead at Banbury United. Picture: NEIL DADYOllie Hughes fires Bury Town into a 1-0 lead at Banbury United. Picture: NEIL DADY (Image: Archant)

“However, I thought the boys put up a really good show. They were excellent and I thought we really frustrated the opposition.

“Banbury didn’t really hurt us and were running out of steam. We went ahead with a good goal and hit the post as well.

“But it took a wonder goal to finally break us down,” added Chenery.

Squads

Bury Mercury: Jake Chambers-Shaw appears to be fouled in the box during stoppage time, but no penalty was given in a 2-1 defeat at Banbury. Picture: NEIL DADYJake Chambers-Shaw appears to be fouled in the box during stoppage time, but no penalty was given in a 2-1 defeat at Banbury. Picture: NEIL DADY (Image: Archant)

BANBURY UNITED: Hall, Brown, Roberts, Langmead, Westbrook, Landers, Rasulo, Johnson, Morrison (sub Awadh, 46), Haysham (sub Constable, 76), Finch (sub Self, 6). Unused subs: Hawtin, Endall, Heap.

BURY TOWN: Rose, Hood, Gardner, Edwards, Altintop, Hastings (sub Mills, 83), Chambers-Shaw, Snaith, Hughes (sub White, 79), Ramadan, Maughn (sub Nyadzayo, 75). Unused subs: Cook, Foreman, Jolland, Horne.

Referee: Oliver Mackey (Leicester)

Attendance: 600

Bury Mercury: Leiston players celebrate taking a 2-1 lead against Barnet during Saturday's FA Cup tie at Victory Road. Picture: HANNAH PARNELLLeiston players celebrate taking a 2-1 lead against Barnet during Saturday's FA Cup tie at Victory Road. Picture: HANNAH PARNELL (Image: Archant)

LEISTON 2 BARNET 3

Meanwhile, Leiston were knocked out 3-2 by Barnet at victory Road, undone by a late goal.

Twice Leiston went ahead in a rollercoaster of a first half which ended all-square at 2-2.

Bury Mercury: Barnet score the winning goal through Michael Petrasso in a 3-2 FA Cup success at Leiston. Picture: HANNAH PARNELLBarnet score the winning goal through Michael Petrasso in a 3-2 FA Cup success at Leiston. Picture: HANNAH PARNELL (Image: Archant)

Dylan Switters delivered a fifth minute free kick which was met by Will Davies, his effort sailing straight into the hands of the keeper.

But Davies did put Leiston ahead in the ninth minute, putting the finishing touch to a fine move featuring Finlay Barnes and Wilkinson.

Barnet levelled through Michal Petrasso on 15 minutes, after Sam Donkin had saved the initial shot.

Four minutes later and Leiston regained their lead when Jack Connors headed into his own net from a corner for an own goal.

Bury Mercury: Armani Shaar attacks down the right for Felixstowe & Walton United during their 2-0 win over Hullbridge Sports. Picture: KALEIGH HALLSArmani Shaar attacks down the right for Felixstowe & Walton United during their 2-0 win over Hullbridge Sports. Picture: KALEIGH HALLS (Image: Archant)

However, the visitors scored in first-half stoppage time to make it 2-2, JJ Henry equalising from the penalty spot with the last kick of the half, in the sixth minute of added-on time.

On 70 minutes, a great free kick by Barnes saw Davies head narrowly over the bar.

But the Bees clinched victory in the 83rd minute, Petrasso scrambling home from close range for his second goal of the afternoon.

Late on, both Rob Eagle and Davies had chances to poach an equaliser.

Bury Mercury: Lantell Howell on the ball for Felixstowe & Walton United, during their 2-0 win over Hullbridge Sports. Picture: KALEIGH HALLLantell Howell on the ball for Felixstowe & Walton United, during their 2-0 win over Hullbridge Sports. Picture: KALEIGH HALL (Image: Archant)

Squad

LEISTON: Donkin, Hammond (sub Hitter, 85), Saunders, Keys, M Richardson, Bailey-Dennis, Barnes, Eagle, Davies, Switters, Willkinson (sub Eaton-Collins, 77). Unused subs: Knights, Wearie, K Richardson, Jackson, Potter.

ALVECHURCH 1 NEEDHAM MARKET 2

Bury Mercury: Kirkley & Pakefield keeper Jordan Smith is well beaten by a stunning long-range free kick from Liam Scopes during Woodbridge Town's 2-0 win. Picture: PAUL VOLLERKirkley & Pakefield keeper Jordan Smith is well beaten by a stunning long-range free kick from Liam Scopes during Woodbridge Town's 2-0 win. Picture: PAUL VOLLER (Image: Paul Voller)

Meanwhile, Needham Market’s fantastic start to the season continued with a 2-1 win away at Alvechurch in the Southern League Premier Central.

The Marketmen were trailing to a fine seventh minute strike by Lloyd, but were level just five minutes later when Adam Mills’ cross-cum-shot deceived the home keeper and ended up in the back of the net.

Needham then took control and duly took all three points via Luke Ingram’s 82nd minute penalty to continue their unbeaten start to the season, with five wins and two defeats.

NEEDHAM (starting XI): Garnham, Dye, Mills, Lawrence, K Morphew, D Morphew, Marsden, Heath, Hunt, Collard, Fowkes.

Bury Mercury: Woodbridge Town players celebrate with goalscorer Liam Scopes after the second goal in a 2-0 win. Picture: PAUL VOLLERWoodbridge Town players celebrate with goalscorer Liam Scopes after the second goal in a 2-0 win. Picture: PAUL VOLLER (Image: Paul Voller)

FELIXSTOWE & WALTON 2 HULLBRIDGE SPORTS 0

Felixstowe & Walton United earned a well-deserved three points in the Isthmian League North, beating Hullbridge Sports 2-0.

Late goals from Miles Powell and Ollie Canfer moved the Seasiders up to seventh place in the table.

The visitors struggled to create much in the final third and Felixstowe’s perseverance paid off when Powell coolly slotted home from ten yards on 82 minutes.

Canfer then scored his fifth goal of the season on 90 minutes when he beat the keeper whilst one-on-one.

AFC SUDBURY 2 BRENTWOOD TOWN 2

All the four goals were crammed into the first half in this Isthmian League North clash, and in fact all four came in a dramatic 23-minute spell.

Andrew Freeman put the Essex visitors ahead on 24 minutes, only for AFC Sudbury to level just 60 seconds later through a Rob Twaine own goal, and then take the lead via Billy Holland’s 34th minute penalty.

However, Freeman scored his second goal of the game just two minutes later to make it 2-2, on 36 minutes, and that proved to be the end of the scoring.

Mark Morsley’s men are in 17th spot, having won just one of their first five league fixtures.

AFC SUDBURY: Collins, O’Malley, Whight, Holland, Grimwood, Collinge, Andrews, Hunter, Marks, Harris, Maycock (sub Machaya, 72). Unused subs: Mayhew, King, Girling, Skubich.

Attendance: 282

WOODBRIDGE TOWN 2 KIRKLEY & PAKEFIELD 0

Woodbridge Town lifted the gloom at Notcutts Park to secure there first win of the season in difficult windy conditions, in spectacular fashion, in this Thurlow Nunn Premier clash.

Two second-half goals, a penalty, and magnificent 45-yard free kick, proved far too much for the third-placed visitors.

‘The Peckers’ belied there lowly position with organised defending against the first half elements and displaying constructive football in the second period.

The first 45 minutes were nondescript, but what a contrasting second half!

Man of the match Kyron Andrews forced Lewis Flowers into a handball offence in the area and Nick Ingram blasted the spot kick beyond keeper Jordon Smith after 49 minutes.

Woodbridge was well in control and added the second on 62 minutes.

There were insufficient superlatives to describe Liam Scopes’ 45-yard free kick from the centre circle. The sheer pace and flat trajectory of the ball gave the keeper no chance.

SUFFOLK & IPSWICH LEAGUE ROUND-UP

Claydon are the new leaders of the Suffolk & Ipswich District League, after their thumping 6-0 win at Westfield.

Clayton have amassed 16 points from seven games, with five wins, although second-placed Halesworth have a game in hand and are just a point behind.

Trimley Red Devils are up to third, following a 4-1 home victory over Haughley United, their fourth win in eight starts.

Alex Breadman, Sam Osborne and Ricardo Phillips (2) were all on target for Trimley, with Reece Golding replying for Haughley.

East Bergholt United are level on points with Trimley (14 points from eight games) after a 3-0 home win over Coplestonians. Aaron Grimwood, James Heathchote and Jamie McGrath were the East Bergholt marksmen.

Elsewhere, there was a welcome first victory of the season for Leiston St Margerets, who triumphed 3-2 away at Capel Plough. Leiston had lost their first seven league games.

As a result, they are now off the bottom, with Achilles propping up the division following a 3-0 defeat away at Crane Sports. Achilles have only collected two points from their first eight games.

Nay Wollard scored a brace and Ben Prime was also on target for Cranes.

Bildeston Rangers are up to sixth, after a 3-0 home victory over Old Newton. Dave Lorimer bagged a brace and Daryl Alexander netted the other goal.