AFC Totton exited the FA Trophy with heads held high after producing arguably their best performance of the season in a 2-1 first qualifying round defeat by Hereford United at the Testwood Stadium.

Seldom will Totton dominate a game in the manner they did – and yet still lose “We did enough to win,” said manager Steve Riley after defeat against the one division higher former Football League club.

"Their manager said we deserved something and we’re disappointed not to have taken the tie to a replay.

“It was probably as well as we’ve played all season, apart from against Swindon Supermarine, when we were 3-0 up in 20 minutes.

“We had loads of the play, but didn’t put our chances to bed, either in the first half when we were totally dominant or during our strong finish.”

Totton bossed affairs from the start, forcing eight first half corners – but seeing chances go begging when the influential Kyle O’Brien saw a 25-yarder turned round the upright and Craig Feeney had another long range effort saved.

Typically, Totton were hit by a 35th mninute sucker punch – strapping Frenchman Serge Mor Diop tapping Hereford in front after Bilal Yafai had found space from a breakaway.

It got worse for Totton when Stags keeper Steve Mowthorpe gifted Hereford a second goal with 20 minutes left.

Sub Amick Ciani, who had only received international clearance to play for Hereford in the week, sent a regulation cross into the Totton goalmouth.

Mowthorpe, who had barely had a shot to save previously, inexplicably dropped the ball immediately under the bar and Diop scored his second from a foot out.

Looking for the ground to swallow him up, Mowthorpe buried his head in his goalkeeper’s jersey in acute embarrassment.

“These things happen,” consoled Riley. “Steve’s played well for us all season and when a goalkeeper makes a mistake it’s often fatal, from a soccer perspective.”

Within 90 seconds Totton were back in the tie courtesy of a stunning 30-yarder from Feeney, who had been starved of possession far too long.