Holders Oxfordshire bowed out of the ESFA Under 16 Inter County Trophy with a 2-1 defeat at home to Merseyside in the third round.

Playing against a gale-force wind, Oxon started well on Oxford City’s 3G artificial pitch, and Kaylem Patterson, George Reid and Adriel George were all denied by visiting keeper Ross Dalton.

However, Merseyside broke away and a long ball allowed Ryan Ellison to out-muscle a defender before scoring.

Oxon then gave the ball away in midfield, and a precise pass sent Justin White clear to round keeper Ben Taylor and increase Merseyside’s lead.

Oxfordshire pulled a goal back in the first two minutes of the second half, Reid providing the pass for Patterson to lob the ball over the stranded goalkeeper from 20 yards.

Oxfordshire lost captain Scott Gee after he received a bang in the face.

But although they had most of the possession, they struggled to create clear chances and Merseyside held on to take victory.