KILBURN’S London Cup challenge was brought to a shuddering halt as they suffered a comprehensive third-round defeat to Bancroft at Gladstone Park.

Kilburn found themselves 3-1 down at half-time and, despite a strike from James Newton giving them hope of a comeback after the break, Bancroft held on and added a fourth.

It was the visitors who started the better side, and they were rewarded with the opening goal on 15 minutes.

But the Knights hit back, and hauled themselves level when Alex McGauley turned a defender on the edge of the box and drilled past the Bancroft keeper.

Despite the equaliser, Kilburn were struggling to live with their muscular opponents, and Banfield’s physical advantage gave them the edge as they netted twice more to go in with a commanding lead at the break.

Drastic changes were needed for the Knights, and with a change of formation on came Nico Coleman. It was he who put Kilburn on the front foot early in the second half, combining well with Newton, who slotted home to give the hosts hope and make it 3-2 on 50 minutes.

The home side continued to press, and they might have forced an equaliser had the referee awarded penalties for two seemingly obvious handballs in the box, but both offences were deemed to be accidental, and Banfield held on to their lead.

Throwing caution to the wind, Kilburn were always vulnerable on the counter-attack, and they conceded a fourth late on to seal their exit from the cup.

Manager Ron Crumlin said: “We’re bviously disappointed to lose today, but the league is our priority so we must bounce back next week.”

Kilburn: Waylett, R Murphy, Ewer, Milsom, A Newton, Dubovecky, E Rock, C Mapes, Swain, McGauley, J Newton.

With Kilburn in cup action they slipped to second place in Division Two as Feltham FC were comfortable 7-0 winners, taking them to the summit.

Kilburn play Feltham in a mouth-watering fixture on November 27 at Gladstone Park.