Indiscipline again crept into the Royston ranks on Tuesday night when they exited the Red Insure Cup at the quarter-final stage with a 3-2 away defeat to St Neots Town.

Just before half-time, with the score at 1-0 in St Neots’ favour, Jo De La Salle was shown a straight red for a challenge on Jake Woolley.

Earlier, it had been Woolley’s assist that saw Matt Nolan give the hosts the lead on the half-hour.

The red card was Royston’s third in two games, with Kaan Fehmi and Lewis Endacott both dismissed in the 6-1 hammering away at Rugby Town in the league on Saturday.

This was a well-contested match on an excellent surface in which Royston showed spirit and effort throughout and were perhaps a little unlucky with the final result.

St Neots had started their Calor Premier Division season poorly but recently had seen a resurgence and at no time were their lower division visitors seen as inferior and on a different night the final score may have been reversed.

At 1-0 down at half-time, and a man down, Royston had a tough task on their hands, but almost immediately a surge from substitute Spyros Mentis gave impetus to Reece Dobson who was upended in the box.

The referee blew for a penalty that was coolly despatched by striker Fehmi to equalise.

But on 61 minutes St Neots’ extra player seemed to take its toll and they re-took the lead with Lewis Hilliard rounding the defence and keeper and slotting low into the net.

One major positive in the cup game was the return of utility man Jack Bradshaw from a nasty hip injury. St Neots effectively won this game following a breakdown of a Crows move and a surge up the right wing by Hilliard and his cross found Jay Davies who tapped in.

Still Royston persisted in trying to get back in this match and deservedly got a goal from Dobson – his third in as many games – to tighten the score in the 90th minute.

The frantic effort to get an equaliser was thwarted and St Neots progress to the semi-final where they take on Redditch United away.