Ely City crashed out of the League Challenge Cup in the third round after a flat, error-strewn performance resulted in a 5-2 defeat at the hands of March Town United.

The match got off to a sluggish start, with both sides probing through midfield without creating any clear-cut opportunities during the opening ten minutes.

The stalemate broke in the 18th minute when March capitalised on a cross from the left wing. Robins keeper Ben Newton parried the initial delivery, but a March forward was quick to react, tapping home from close range.

Ely's response was immediate. Just two minutes later, Alfie Rogers got on the end of a ball into the box to restore parity at 1-1. However, the brief spark failed to kickstart a sustained spell of dominance, as the Robins capitulated in a 10 minute spell before half time.

March reclaimed the lead in the 36th minute during a frantic goalmouth scramble, poking the ball past Newton after Ely failed to clear a delivery into the box. Newton did well shortly after, denying the visitors a third with a crucial save from the edge of the 18-yard box. Ely showed glimpses of threat on the break when Stephen Pereira drove forward in the 42nd minute, but his final effort could only find the side netting.

Disaster struck for the hosts in the final moments of the half. In the 44th minute, a defensive mishap saw Jev Cook head into his own net while trying to clear a lifted effort over Newton. Stoppage time brought further misery when March breached the Robins' line once again to tuck home their fourth, capping off a bleak late-half collapse.

HT: Ely City 1 - 4 March Town United
The second half started as it ended, with the away side quick to want to put the game completely to bed. Newton though came out strong after the restart, pulling off a double save - including a brilliant flick-away to keep the score line at 4-1. Yet, the respite was brief. In the 49th minute, a drifted cross to the back post was looped back across the face of goal and over Newton to extend March's lead to 5-1.

Ely generated occasional chances as the half wore on. Jamie Baxter came close in the 58th minute, heading a cross into the side netting. Then ten minutes later, Dom Hunt's long throw-in caused chaos in the March penalty area, forcing an own goal from a defender to pull the score back to 5-2.

Pereira continued to work hard down the right flank, and substitute Townshend provided quality late on from set-pieces. In the 88th minute, Hunt met Townshend's whipped corner with a strong header, only to see it cleared off the line by a March defender.

Ultimately, time ran out on any hopes of a dramatic comeback, leaving the Robins to reflect on a disappointing night and an early cup exit.

Team: 1 Ben Newton, 2 Jev Cook, 3 Philip Mendy, 4 Alfie Rogers, 5 Jamie Baxter, 6 Dom Hunt , 7 Fin Logan, 8 Charlie Sutcliffe, 9 Stephen Pereira, 10 Jack Friend (C), 11 Joe Tarpey.

Substitutes: 12 Josh Collins, 14 Harrison Donnelly, 15 Alex Brown, 16 Tom Rigby, 17 Sam Townshen