ANDOVER Town were knocked out of the FA Vase on Saturday after a 2-1 home defeat to Sussex County League side, Newhaven.

In what was a typical cup encounter between two teams flying high in their respective divisions, it was Newhaven who ran out eventual winners after a second half brace from Lee Robinson.

The forward scored both in almost identical fashion, twice hitting Andover on the break, to end their hopes of a Vase run.

The game was predictably edgy from the get-go with both teams remaining cagey while attempting to work their opponents out.

Andover came closest to hitting the target after 15 minutes when a Gilbert free kick from 30 yards narrowly flew past the right hand post.

A timid game soon became heated on the half hour mark when Suheal Odeh caught Jayson Sowter late while attempting to win a loose ball in the centre circle.

Players from both teams clashed in reaction to the challenge, but the referee remained calm and after breaking up the brawl proceeded to book Odeh.

An injured Sowter was taken off for treatment and momentarily returned before being replaced by Rob Boddy.

The game remained largely cagey until Town created the first real opportunity of the half with five minutes of the half remaining.

Odeh slid Sammy Pekun in with a clever reverse ball but the winger's shot was saved off the back of goalkeeper Jake Boss.

From the resulting corner Andover nearly scored again when Charlie Gunson picked up the ball on the opposite flank and crossed back to Odeh, whose lobbed header was tipped over the crossbar by Boss.

Newhaven then broke quickly and had their best opportunity of the half when Ebov Jallow opened space for Robinson whose shot was acrobatically saved by Bray to keep the scores level at the break.

Town started the second half on the front foot but their eagerness soon cost them when Newhaven opened the scoring in the 52nd minute.

Andover left themselves light at the back and Robinson took full advantage, taking down a long ball before turning his man and slotting the ball into the bottom left corner.

A shell shocked Town substituted newly signed Micheal Dixon into the attack in the hope of giving themselves more firepower up front but the home side still struggled to find the net despite creating chances.

Pekun forced a good save from Boss at the near post after 70 minutes and the winger was involved again 10 minutes later when his scorching effort from a Lewis Benson corner was narrowly tipped over.

It looked as if Town would struggle to break down the well organised Newhaven defense but the breakthrough finally came 10 minutes from time.

Benson floated in a corner towards the back post and Bobby Swayne rose above his man to guide a header into the top corner, much to the delight of the home support.

However the jubilation was short lived when Robinson again caught the Andover back line napping to latch on to a lobbed through ball and coolly finish past Bray.

Town defenders protested that the forward was in an offside position but the assistant's flag stayed down and the referee allowed the goal to stand.

Andover desperately threw everything forward in a vein attempt to push the tie into extra time.

Benson came agonisingly close in the 90th minute when his header bounced off the top of the crossbar.

Despite their best efforts Town could not find that all important equaliser, as Newhaven returned to Sussex with a 2-1 win.

Town will now hope to recover from their cup disappointment when they return to league action against Verwood Town at the Portway on Tuesday night.