Royston were knocked out of the FA Trophy in the cruellest way possible as Kingstonian advanced to the next round on penalties. It was Elliott Buchanan who stroked home the winning penalty after Isaac Galliford saw his penalty saved by K’s custodian Rob Tolfrey.

The first half was a fairly even affair as the contrasting styles of the 2 teams made for an entertaining encounter. Two early chances fell to the Crows Brandon Adams but both times Tolfrey was equal to the efforts as he saved well with his feet.

It was however the away side that took the lead. A fast counter attack, after a Royston free kick, saw Daniel Ajakaiye break clear, but Joe Welch in the home goal was quickly out to make the save. It was however Ajakaiye who picked up the loose ball and in doing so drew a foul from Ed Asafu-Adjaye that the referee deemed bad enough to award what looked a very soft penalty. It was Gus Sow who stepped up and confidently curled the ball into the top corner, giving Welch no chance.

The Crows found the equaliser at the start of the second half as a great leap from Dan Newton saw him rise to head home a James Brighton corner. It was Royston who continued to press forward, as they forced Kingstonian deeper and deeper, but they struggled to create any clear cut chances and were ultimately made to pay as it was Kingstonian who prevailed in the shoot out.

Royston: 1-Welch, 6-Henry (16-Rotimi 81), 5-Murray ©, 20-Newton, 14-Brighton, 2-Asafu-Adjaye, 19-Mentis, 4-Bridges, 8-Draper (12-Newman 88), 9-Adams, 11-Galliford

Unused: GK-Williams, 3-Brathwaite, 7-Keeley, 15-Brown

MOM – Dan Newton