ALDERSHOT TOWN 1, EASTBOURNE BOROUGH 2

ALDERSHOT paid for a lethargic and indisciplined performance as Eastbourne Borough staged a perfect smash-and-grab raid which won a lucrative place in the FA Cup first round proper.

Two defensive errors allowed the National League South side to score two superb goals, including the last-minute winner, after the Shots were reduced to ten men following a debatable red card for Jim Kellermann.

That decision further depleted a midfield already shorn of the suspended Jake Gallagher and although Gary Waddock was quick to credit his team’s spirit in adversity as they staged a second-half comeback, the display was still below-par.

“The players showed great character to get back into the game, but it’s a decision that has hurt us,” said Waddock of the 25th-minute dismissal.

Kellermann stretched to win a 50/50 tackle with Brian Dutton, having chased his own clearance out of the penalty area, and referee Savvas Yianni saw it as a sending-off offence.

“A mistake at the end has cost us dear, but I think a mistake during the course of the game has cost us dear as well,” said Waddock.

“We’re bitterly disappointed, but you have to give great credit to Eastbourne. They came with a game plan and we didn’t start well enough. They were allowed to settle into the cup-tie, when we wanted to have a higher tempo. But we were down to ten men for a large chunk of the game and the players gave everything.”

Mark Smith twice parried angled efforts from Gavin McCallum, once during the attack which resulted in Kellermann’s departure, as Aldershot struggled to impose themselves in the early stages.

Bernard Mensah then surprised everybody when he whipped a 30-yard free-kick towards the near post, only for the ball to crash off the base of the upright.

Aldershot ended the half in the ascendancy, but seven minutes after the break, McCallum broke past Callum Reynolds as the ball bobbled between them and set up former Shots striker Jamie Taylor to fire a brilliant 25-yard drive into the top corner.

It was a goal which Waddock admitted “woke us up” and Mensah again went close moments later.

Borough substitute Nathaniel Pinney – soon to be the afternoon’s hero – shot wastefully wide from six yards with only Smith to beat.

However, the hosts continued to rouse themselves and another replacement, Charlie Walker, hit the crossbar with a swerving drive from distance.

Then Aldershot’s latest arrival, 16-year-old Idris Kanu, threatened to write another great FA Cup story with his 69th-minute equaliser.

Anthony Straker diverted a free-kick out to Mensah on the left and his low cross into the six-yard box found the Manchester United triallist sneaking in to poach his first ever senior goal.

It perhaps should have been the catalyst for a Shots resurgence, but both sides pushed hard for a winner in the final stages.

Smith denied Taylor with a superb flying parry and then tipped McCallum’s curler around the post.

And the visitors’ perseverance was finally rewarded when Pinney burst past a hesitant Reynolds on the counter-attack and bent a fine shot beyond Smith into the far corner.

In that fleeting moment, Aldershot’s FA Cup dreams were dashed and it is Eastbourne who progress to a first-round tie at Braintree Town.

Aldershot: M Smith; Arnold, Reynolds, Saville, Straker; Bellamy, Kellermann; Fenelon (Kanu 63), Mensah, Allen (Wakefield 29); McClure (Walker 58). Subs (not used): Cole, Alexander.

Eastbourne Borough: Carey; Hare, Khinda-John, Simpemba, Stone, O’Reilly; Worrall (Pinney 46), Dutton, Hughes (A Smith 85), McCallum; Taylor. Subs (not used): Baptista, Street, Tate, Ayzaia, Horlock.

Referee: Savvas Yianni.

Attendance: 1,443 (79 away).

“We’re fortunate to have signed a very talented player” said Gary Waddock of Idris Kanu, the 16-year-old who scored his first senior goal in Aldershot’s FA Cup defeat to Eastbourne Borough “We need to make sure that we help him to realise his potential, but we are planning for the future.”

Forest Green Rovers have brought forward their National League fixture against Aldershot Town to Saturday, November 5.

Following both clubs’ exit from the FA Cup, the match will now be played on the day of the first round. Kick-off at the New Lawn is 3pm.

Aldershot now face two successive away National League fixtures. They travel to Torquay United this Saturday and, on Tuesday, make the shorter trip to Dagenham & Redbridge. John Still’s Dagenham are currently second in the table, five points above sixth-placed Aldershot.