Oxford City’s impressive run in the FA Youth Cup came to an end when they went down 3-1 to Royston Town in the third round at Marsh Lane last night.

The defeat in front of a crowd of 310 also shattered City’s dreams of securing an away trip to Arsenal or Reading in the next round.

Early on, City’s Alex Grantham made a good save to deny Josh Castiglione, who had gone clear.

But Royston weren’t to be denied for long, taking took the lead in the 12th minute when Reece King drove the rebound in after Grantham had parried a shot from Ross Maddox.

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City rallied and Royston keeper Ben Watson smothered a Kaylem Patterson effort, before touching over a long-range shot from Liam Talboys.

And City were back on level terms in the 54th minute when Patterson climbed highest to head home a cross from the right wing.

With 15 minutes left fog descended and it was touch and go whether the game could continue.

With spectators struggling to see what was happening through the gloom, Royston went back in front in the 82nd minute when Conor Kilgallon headed in a corner.

With two minutes to go, City’s fate was sealed when a mix-up in their defence allowed Perri Gentry to slot into an empty net.

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