READING City produced a brave and very spirited performance before losing their FA Cup replay 2-1 in extra time at Chipping Sodbury, writes Dave Wright.

City had chances to win the extra preliminary round tie on Saturday which ended 1-1 and it was a similar story on Tuesday.

“We failed to take the chances we created,” bemoaned joint manager Andy Findlay.

“We hit the post, crossbar, their keeper made an unreal save and we also missed a sitter.”

City had also failed to convert a penalty on Saturday with Mitchell Parker seeing his effort pushed out by keeper Jack Dando.

The penalty was for handball by centre-back Sean Keet, whose red card left the Toolstation Premier League side with 10 men for an hour.

City had taken an 11th-minute lead through a thumping header from Alfie Grant.

But the 10-men of Sodbury deservedly equalised when George Box sent a neat lob over keeper Eddie Cavanagh.

City had opportunities to win the game in front of a crowd of nearly 150, and it was much the same in the replay, when they brought in Tom Moran, their new signing from FA Vase winners Thatcham Town.

And it was another former Kingfishers player, Harry Grant, who headed them in front after 40 minutes.

“We tore them to pieces in the first half, but we failed to put the game to bed,” said Findlay.

Then just after half-time they conceded a soft penalty for hands and Liam Pullen made no mistake from the spot.

There were chances at both ends for the rest of the game, but the deciding goal did not come until six minutes into extra time when Joe White hammered the ball home from the edge of the area.

City will hope to make it three Hellenic League wins in a row when they host Fairford Town on Saturday. Their fixture at Binfield, called off on Monday, has been re-arranged for Monday, September 3.