LEISTON’s FA Cup hopes of hosting League Two Port Vale were ended as Dartford ran out deserved winners.

LEISTON’s FA Cup hopes of hosting League Two Port Vale were ended as Dartford ran out deserved 3-2 winners.

Leon Ottley-Gooch late goal brought a flicker of hope to the loyal band of travelling fans but in truth anything but a home win would have been cruel on the attacking endeavour offered by Dartford.

While disappointed with the cup exit, Leiston boss Mark Morsley conceded: “The thing with the FA Cup, when you are a non league side, is that you are always going to lose at some stage. I have always said our priority is the Ridgeons League Premier Division and we must now bounce back starting at Stanway on Saturday.”

Morsley rightly pointed to the fact that his side lost to two defensive mistakes and an own goal from Stuart Boardley in front of more than 1,000 fans at Princes Park.

Boardley scored Leiston’s opener, after Dartford had raced into a two-goal lead.

Picture special in Thursday’s EADT and Evening Star