CHELMSFORD City manager Rod Stringer felt ‘let down’ by his players after they fell at the first hurdle to exit the FA Cup against Worthing.

The Clarets were beaten 2-1 by the Isthmian Premier League outfit in the second qualifying round at the Melbourne Stadium, with striker James Crane scoring two headers from corners.

Chris Whelpdale got the Chelmsford goal but it was not enough to held the Clarets to a repeat of last year - which saw them reach the first round proper.

We’ve allowed them to get two free headers in the box, which isn’t normally what we’re like”, said an exasperated Stringer, “and then we’ve gone up the other end and done everything but score from set pieces.

“We’ve had chances but I don’t think some of them played very well today, if I’m honest, a lot of them let us down. Some of them I’ve been really pleased with since they’ve been at the club, but today one or two of them never really gave us the performance we needed.

The first chance of the game came from Michael Spillane. Following a goal from inside his own half the previous weekend, Spillane sent another long range effort off the crossbar.

But Worthing scored with their first attempt of note. Crane headed in from a corner on 20 minutes although Whelpdale equalised with a long range shot just after the half-time interval.

Crane had the final say 10 minutes from time.

Chelmsford City: McDonald, Young, Anderson, Omozusi (Reason 69), Swaine, Church, Miles (Chiedozie 55), Spillane, Giles (Whelpdale 38), Wraight, Murphy