Didcot Town’s hopes of making the FA Cup fourth qualifying round for the second successive year were dashed when visitors Shortwood finally beat outstanding keeper Kieran Beesley on Saturday.

There were only 15 minutes left when a wayward pass from Didcot’s Lance Williams fell invitingly to striker Duncan Culley, who supplied a cool finish over keeper Beesley to give the Gloucestershire side a deserved victory.

It was only a brave rearguard display from Didcot's backline, and another stunning display from rookie keeper Beesley, that kept the scoreline respectable.

The opening half of this tie between two teams in Calor League Division 1 South & West was error-strewn, with neither side really getting the upper hand.

Shortwood had an early effort ruled out for offside before their dominance began to tell. Adam Mann and then Alton Axton both went close without troubling the keeper.

Didcot did also have chances. Pablo Haysham saw his shot fly narrowly wide before midfielder Mike McKirnan headed over from six yards on the stroke of halftime.

In the second half, Shortwood took charge and Beesley made crucial stops from Mann, Sam Avery, Culley twice and Jake Parrott as the visitors threatened to run away with it.

Culley’s goal, when it came, was greeted with some relief by the visitors and it was followed by a brief rally by the hosts.

The Railwaymen could even have sneaked an unlikely draw.

First Jermaine Ferreira had a decent opportunity to score, but chose to cross rather than shoot on 85 minutes.

Then, deep into stoppage time, Diddy skipper Luke Carnell headed narrowly wide from close range.

But anything other than a Shortwood win would have been an injustice.

Didcot Tn: Beesley, Elkins; Janes, S Parish, Carnell, Williams (Morris 80), Ferreira (Blenford 85), McKirnan, Joyce, J Parish (Baines 60). Subs not used: Longford, Mills.

Attendance: 153.