CITY bowed out of the Buildbase FA Vase with a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of League rivals, Highgate United.
The first chance fell to City when Josh Sarmento did well out wide and his cross found the head of Lee Hughes who was just off target.
Shortly afterwards there were appeals for a penalty when Hughes was brought down inside the area, but the referee waved play on.
With former City man, Marco Adaggio starting to make his presence felt, he went close with an effort as his side started to get into their stride and pose a few questions.
We always looked a threat on the break with the pace of Sarmento causing problems for the visitors and he broke away before squaring the ball into the path of Dave Reynolds whose strike was deflected just wide of the target.
It was developing into an entertaining cup tie with both sides giving it their all.
Reynolds dragged a low effort wide whilst some positive play from Mat Birley ended with him being crowded out.
There were a few robust challenges flying in from our visitors, which led to bookings, as City created the better of the opportunities at goal with Reynolds in particular heavily involved in the action.
As the half came to a close, Highgate started to get on top and Matt Gwynne was busy to ensure that it remained goalless going into the break.
City created the first chance of the second half, however, it wasn’t long before the visitors edged in front through Josh Hawker.
With Birley forced off through injury, we set about our task of getting back into the game but with 53 minutes on the clock we slipped further behind when Adaggio was able to find the net.
Our response was instant as Hughes put the ball in the net, only for it to be ruled out for offside.
Then substitute, Mark Danks, did well to create a chance for himself which he blazed over.
Some good play from James Baldwin saw him link up well with George Forsyth who got in a strike that was deflected narrowly wide for a corner, which ultimately came to nothing.
As we pushed for a way back into the game, we were always vulnerable on the counter-attack and Rickards went close to a third goal for Highgate.
At the other end, Baldwin managed to get an inviting ball into the area where Reynolds got in front of his marker only to fire over.
With just under 20 minutes to go we were given a lifeline as skipper, Nathan Hayward, was able to turn the ball home to reduce the arrears and set up an exciting finish.
City upped the tempo and we went close when Tyler Weir fired inches over, whilst Reynolds had a couple of half-chances.
On 88 minutes we had a great chance to level matters as Baldwin was alert to latch onto a poor clearance by the visitors’ ‘keeper and he looked to play in Danks only for the ball to just run away from him on the slick surface.
We threw everything forward in the closing stages but it wasn’t to be as our Wembley dreams came to an end.

CITY: Gwynne, Stoddart, Weir, M. Smith, Thomas, Haywood, Birley (Danks 50), Forsyth, Hughes, Reynolds (Moran 86), Sarmento (Baldwin 49). Subs not used: Dayus, Lewis.