IT took a wonder strike to end Folland Sports’ interest in the FA Cup at Frome Town tonight.

Having held their Southern Premier opponents 1-1 in Hamble on Saturday, the Planemakers again made light of the gulf in status before succumbing to a slender 1-0 second qualifying round defeat in Somerset.

The deciding goal arrived on 27 minutes when winger Ben Thomson outpaced Will Harris and delivered a cross which the Follands ushered out. But it fell to Matt Smith on the edge of the area and he unleashed a thunderbolt into the top corner with Planemakers’ keeper Ryan Gosney still rooted to the spot.

“It went in like a rocket and sometimes you’ve just got to say what a great finish,” said Follands boss Danny Bowers.

“But we were outstanding tonight.

“We’ve played 180 minutes against a team from two leagues higher and matched them in every department.

“If we could put that form into the league and the FA Vase, we’d be untouchable.

“I feel for the lads from the bottom of my heart, I really do, but it was one of those nights when all the knockdowns seemed to fall for them.

“We chucked Burty (defender Matt Burt) up front for the last ten minutes and he’s headed an inch over from Jamie Barron’s free-kick. Then Mike Turvey’s almost set Ashley Jarvis up for an open goal but a defender’s just got a foot to it.

“Every player gave me 500 per cent and I’m really proud of what the boys have done.

“Now it’s back to the league at home to Brockenhurst on Saturday. Let’s see what we’ve got left in the tank.”

With Blackfield & Langley also bowing out, Winchester City will fly the Sydenhams Premier flag into the third qualifying round away at Concord Rangers on October 11.

*Eastleigh’s Hampshire Senior Cup second round tie against Follands has a different date and venue.

The game will now be played on Monday (October 6) at the Spitfires’ Silverlake Stadium home due to a problem with Follands’ floodlights.

Entry is £5 adults, £3 concessions/under-16s, under-7s free.