Wealdstone’s FA Cup dream came to an end on Tuesday night after they were defeated 2-0 at home by National League side Maidenhead United in their fourth qualifying round replay.
Josh Kelly scored twice for the visitors, one either side of a controversial Jacob Mendy red card, to bring to an end a run that started against Farnborough in the second qualifying round.
A slow start to the game for the hosts was punished after 15 minutes when Kelly timed his run perfectly to race in behind the defence and slot past Aston Oxborough.
It could have been two in quick succession for the away side when Remy Clerima got to James Comley’s cross, but Oxborough got down well to parry away.
The game’s turning point came just before half time when Mendy headed a long-ball back to Oxborough, but the referee deemed that he had fouled Clerima in doing so and sent him off as the last man.
That seemed to suck the life out of the Stones and Maidenhead doubled their lead 10 minutes after the restart as Kelly drilled an effort into the bottom corner off the post.
They didn’t give up and Billy Clifford’s free-kick forced Dunn into an acrobatic save, but it was always going to be an uphill challenge even without the numerical disadvantage, and Maidenhead now go through to face League One side Rotherham United in the first round.
Dean Brennan’s side now turn their attention back to the National League South, where they host Tonbridge Angels this Saturday at 3pm.
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