HIGHMOOR Ibis gave a good account of themselves before making their exit from the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup, writes Dave Wright.

They twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with unbeaten United Counties League leaders Newport Pagnell Town in Monday’s first-round tie at Rivermoor, only to lose 4-3 on penalties.

Trevor Mutero and Joe Grant, with a goal in each half, kept Highmoor very much in the game and they had chances to win inside 90 minutes.

Then in the shoot-out, they led three times, but two misses cost them dearly.

“It was very disappointing, as we played really well,” said player-manager Marcus Richardson.

“Even the Newport Pagnell manager praised our performance and said we were very unlucky not to have won in normal time. It’s the story of our season so far.”

Highmoor showed a vast improvement on last Saturday’s display when they lost 3-0 at home to Royal Wootton Bassett in the Hellenic League, having crashed 6-0 at Flackwell Heath the previous Tuesday.

Highmoor were the better side in the opening period, but struggled to break down a solid Bassett defence and when they did create chances, they were unable to take them.

The visitors broke the deadlock late in the first half when they were awarded a penalty, enabling Steve Yeardley to score from the spot.

The second half saw Bassett come more into the game and they went on to seal their fourth win in a row.

Substitute Sam Collier, who had earlier been denied by keeper Aaron Watkins in a one-on-one, made it 2-0 with a 25-yard shot on 80 minutes and Harvey Scholes added the third just before the end.

With just one win in eight games, Highmoor are down to 16th in the table ahead of their trip to 14th-placed Brimscombe & Thrupp this Saturday (3pm).