Wantage Town made Raiders rue the huge opportunities missed in the second half to edge past and through to the next round of the Bluefin Challenge Cup at Sixways.

It was a quiet opening to the first twenty-five minutes of the encounter with chances far and few between for both sides as they both looked to find their feet in a cold and soggy Sixways.

It would be the away side that would have the first major chance of the game, on the twenty sixth minute, and one that would be converted, a great ball from the left was finished expertly by Davis with a flick past Young.

The first half for Raiders would be one that certainly won’t be easily remembered, the response to the opening lacked any chance of note with just a number of free kicks and corners to account for as they headed into Half Time for the second time in 2023 1-0 behind.

Karl Gormley was keen to change what had been a poor half as was shown by the two substitutes made at the break that included the introduction of New Signing Manny Olaloko and Luke Gaffney which would prove to make a massive difference.

It would be Wantage, however, who would have the first chance just four minutes after the break when an excellent delivery from a freekick found the head of Bestley who glanced just wide.

Ten minutes later Raiders had their first major opportunity to level, Richard Smith raced down on goal one on one with Foster who parried into the path of sub Olaloko who’s effort was cleared off the line brilliantly and to safety.

Smith would have another chance just five minutes later in the 64th minute when a cross from Cooper found the head of smith who was all free but his header dropped just wide.

Just one minute on Raiders yet again wasted a chance to level as Manny Olaloko raced down on goal saw Foster yet again equal to it before Cooper was unable to finish.

Yet again, on the 70th minute this time, the new signing had an excellent chance to grab an equaliser when a drive looked as if it went in however, it just went wide of the stretched Foster’s post.

Substitute Olaloko certainly wouldn’t want to remember this game in a hurry as four minutes later a cross across the six-yard box narrowly evaded his legs as an empty net beckoned.

Unlike the home side, Wantage would take their chances in the second half unfortunately, in the 76th minute Francis headed into an empty net following a ball from the right.

The home side managed to get one back with just a minute to the end through Louis Monaghan after a mix up at the back, this wasn’t enough to prevent Wantage taking a superb victory and gain their revenge for Raiders victory just nine days before.

Attention will now turn to the league once again for Worcester Raiders as they face Shrivenham on Saturday at Sixways.