HARTPURY Under-18s suffered FA Youth Cup heartbreak on Wednesday night as Chippenham Town progressed on penalties following a 1-1 draw at the KMM Energy Stadium.

The young Acorns recovered from falling behind shortly before half-time and produced an improved display after the break, but two saves from visiting goalkeeper Austin Branston proved decisive in the shootout.

There was little between the sides during a tight opening period in Gloucester, with both teams struggling to turn promising possession into clear chances.

Hartpury were forced into an early change when striker Miguel Pierre-Broderick went off injured, while Chippenham also had to reshuffle as Freddie Wyatt replaced George Kick.

The visitors began to find openings as the half developed. Ashton Arlow was picked out following good work from Liam Lye-Owens but sent his effort beyond Josh Sawyer's far post, before Wyatt volleyed wide after Fin Davies had flicked the ball into his path.

Hartpury created their best chance of the half five minutes before the interval. The ball dropped for Archie Hearnden inside the penalty area and his effort was kept out by Branston with his feet.

But Chippenham made the breakthrough moments before half-time. A delivery from the right caused problems in the Hartpury defence and Arlow reacted quickest, converting from close range to send the visitors into the interval ahead.

The Acorns returned with greater purpose and began seeing more of the ball through William O'Brien, Joshua Samuel and Layten Harris in midfield.

O'Brien nearly helped manufacture an equaliser when his cross from the left took an awkward trajectory and landed on top of the crossbar before dropping into the area, where Chippenham eventually scrambled it clear.

The visitors remained dangerous on the counter and Wyatt later met another Lye-Owens delivery with a header which was gathered by Sawyer.

Hartpury continued to press, however, and their persistence was finally rewarded with five minutes of normal time remaining.

Left-back Omoruyi Belo-Osagie swung a cross into the area from distance and the ball carried over Branston before dropping inside the far corner, prompting celebrations among the Hartpury players, bench and home supporters.

The hosts then had an opportunity to complete the turnaround before the final whistle. Hearnden worked enough space on the edge of the box to get a shot away, but his curling attempt passed narrowly wide.

With no extra time, the tie headed directly to a penalty shootout.

Chippenham converted their opening attempts while Branston gave his side a major advantage by saving Hartpury's first two penalties from Harris and Beau Bird.

Hearnden kept the Acorns in contention by squeezing his spot-kick past Branston, but Chippenham's Joshua Bryden stepped up with the opportunity to settle the contest and converted.

The result brought Hartpury's FA Youth Cup campaign to an agonising end after a determined second-half fightback, with O'Brien named the home side's man of the match following an impressive performance.

Despite the defeat, the young Acorns could take encouragement from pushing their opponents throughout and responding strongly after going behind late.