WITHAM Town's FA Cup journey ended in dramatic circumstances after hosts Berkhamsted scored two late goals to claim their place in the next round, writes JIM PURTILL.

A 2-1 defeat was hard to take for Town after a positive performance in which they were full of attacking intent and often looked the better side against the Southern League Central Division League leaders.

Witham manager Chris Taylor will be very disappointed with the outcome but can gain comfort from an impressive display in which his side narrowly lost to a good team.

It was a brave and expansive performance from the visitors, who can take pride in the confidence and ambition that they displayed.

These are early days in the season but this Witham side seem to possess far more creativity, energy and resilience than they did last season.

Berkhamsted's Ryan Blake shot wide early on after a good passing move and the hosts had the best of the attacking moves in the opening stages, with most of the attacks taking place on the left.

Liam Whipps was in the thick of the action in a midfield role for Witham, as the visitors contained Berkhamsted attacks.

Witham goalkeeper Rhys Madden saved well from a cross but Gaz Dauti was influential in midfield for the visitors, as they gradually assumed greater control and put together some good attacking moves.

On the half-hour mark, Jamahl Godward's mazy run ended in a shot that just cleared the Berkhamsted crossbar, in the best attacking attempt from either side in the first half.

Ramiah Mills fired just wide after linking up well with Luke Ige, before Mills forced goalkeeper Craig Hill to make a brave double-save soon after.

Madden palmed away a corner soon after the break but it was Witham’s turn to put the hosts under pressure, as the energy and aggression of Whipps, the pace of Godward and Adam Vyse's industry proved effective.

Witham’s pressure culminated in a goal in the 58th minute when Vyse's fiercely-struck free-kick from outside the penalty area put them ahead.

Witham became more dominant after that, as the hosts found it hard to mount effective attacks.

Goss shot high and wide in the 70th minute and Jonathan Lacey shot weakly in rare Berkhamsted attacks.

At the other end, Mills headed over for Witham from Godward's excellent cross.

Witham had enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in the second half but the hosts found their way back into the tie.

Lacey and Jack Tomkins became more influential as Berkhamsted pressure began to build.

They forced a number of corners and Madden was forced to save brilliantly from Lacey and Goss.

Joseph Alatise's goal-line clearance saved Witham in the 83rd minute but the turning point of the match came two minutes later.

The referee awarded a penalty to Berkhamsted after a Gaz Dauti challenge and Dauti was sent off.

Within seconds Berkhamsted were level through Blake and had a one-man advantage.

It was a remarkable turn of events and it looked very harsh on the visitors, changing the course of the tie as the hosts threw everything into attack in search of a late winner.

Berkhamsted forced a number of late corners and from their final one in the 96th minute, a Goss header put Berkhamsted ahead.

Witham almost snatched a last-gasp equaliser when Vyse's effort was cleared from the goal-line with the last touch of the match but it was not to be.

Witham host Brentwood Town in the FA Trophy on Saturday.