BOSS Paul Collicutt argued Evesham United “should have at least got something out of” Saturday’s FA Cup loss at Rugby – despite not being at their best.

The Robins fell at the first hurdle after Richard Blythe's rising drive handed a resilient Rugby outfit their hard-earned 1-0 victory.

Evesham lacked fluency and could not breach the backline of stubborn opponents who belied their placing one level below United’s.

Blythe pounced on some uncertain Evesham passing in front of their own 18-yard box to let fly with a high shot that flew past keeper Harvey Rivers 52 minutes in.

The visitors huffed and puffed and should have equalised nine minutes from time when Nathan Summers thumped wide a Joe Tumelty corner from close range.

Rivers then nearly caught out Rugby counterpart Matthew Hill with a driven free-kick from the halfway line which had to be pushed over but in truth, Rugby warranted their win.

“I’m bitterly disappointed because the FA Cup is big for the club and supporters,” said Collicutt.

“Okay, you’re never going to win it but it would have been nice to have a run with the incentives for clubs that can get through two or three rounds.

“It was a game that saw us stick in there and in the second half we spent an awful lot of time in their half without hurting them.

“I felt we should have at least got something out of it but just couldn’t and you make your own luck in this game.

“The performance levels were not as good as what I had hoped for, especially on the back of Wednesday night’s win over Mangotsfield.

“We made a few changes for one reason or another and were up against a very dogged side.

“We underperformed in the first half and got better and stronger as the game went on without having that cutting edge.

“I thought Will Tunnicliff did himself proud and there were a few pluses that we can take once the dust settles but we have just been beaten in the FA Cup, a competition I love and it was so bitterly disappointing not to get through.

“They have players with quality who have been at higher levels. With the facilities they have on top of that, I am sure it is a club that will push on a bit.

“As for us, we have a league game coming up quite quickly and we have to make sure we respond.”

Evesham travel to Cinderford Town in Southern League Division One South tomorrow (3pm) for a derby clash with a team that has maximum points from two matches and progressed in the FA Cup on Saturday.

Defender Linden Dovey (neck) and striker Steve Davies could come back into contention after injuries limited them to places on the bench at Rugby.

Dual-registered frontrunner Lewis Ellington missed out on Saturday after Chippenham Town requested for him not to become cup tied. He could return and winger Cory Simpson will be available for selection.

“We are hoping the majority of the lads will be back for Cinderford, it is always a tough game over there and they have started particularly well,” said Collicutt.

Rugby: Hill, Rosser, Perkins, Edwards, Recci, Marsden (Lockley, 83), Evans, Bunting (Adams, 64), Rankin (Kavanagh, 69), Johnson, Blythe. Unused sub: Holloway.

Robins: Rivers, Hancock (Dovey, 64), Tunnicliff, Turley, Summers, Wellon, Tucker-Dixon, Williams (Tumelty, 63), Brain (Brown, 61), Haskayne, Thomas. Unused subs: Humphreys, Davies, Taylor.

Attendance: 225.