HANWELL Town's dreadful record in recent seasons in the FA Cup continued on Tuesday night when they were beaten by fellow Spartan South Midlands League side Cockfosters after a 1-1 draw in the initial encounter.
It was the fourth season in succession that they have fallen at the first hurdle.
In similar fashion to the first match, Cockfosters proved to be much the better side in the opening half but with roles reversed after the interval.
Town's defence were put under pressure from the kick-off by the Cockfosters front three, Emond Protain leading the line with excellent support from flank men Adem Ali and Jack Cook.
However, it was the Cockfosters keeper, Adam McSweeney, who was first called into serious action, diving to his left to turn aside Chris Mills' effort.
Town had a let-off when Cook's shot struck the foot of the post with Charlie Fanner beaten, but there was no woodwork to come to their rescue when in the 27th minute.
Ali received the ball with his back to goal, and turned sharply to arrow the ball across Fanner into the far corner of Town's net.
Cook then almost made it two coming in at the near post to head Ali's driven cross wide.
Town had the ball in the net five minutes before the interval when Bill Healey headed home at the far post, but the referee deemed that he had pushed an opponent in doing so.
On th stroke of half time, Ali missed a great opportunity to put the visitors two up.
Town enjoyed an enormous amount of possession in the second half as a well-organised Cockfosters side seemed content to protect their slender lead with only the occasional foray forward.
But try as they might, Hanwell could not find the equaliser, with Healey missing the best opportunities, heading straight at McSweeney on three occasions from close range.
Ali was also the Cockfosters scorer on Saturday with Healey equalising in the second half.
On Saturday (3pm), Town will be hoping to put their disappointment behind them when they play Hoddesdon Town at home and on Tuesday night, they are again at home, this time to local rivals Hillingdon Borough (7.45pm).
