AN embarrassing FA Cup exit at the hands of Southern League minnows Thame United last night brought an abrupt end to Steve Claridge's much-publicised reign as King of the Wessex Stadium.

Lucky to take the Third Qualifying Round tie to a replay after trailing to the ten-man Oxfordshire side until six minutes from time at the Wessex Stadium on Saturday, the Terras failed miserably to make the most of their Claridge-inspired reprieve.

And after they crashed out 2-1 in the modest surrounds of Thame's Windmill Stadium, it proved the final straw for a Terras hierarchy already restless because of their expensively-assembled side's under-achievement in the league.

The Terras found themselves trailing again after 23 minutes last night only for skipper Paul Buckle to drag his side back on terms four minutes later.

But with ten minutes of the game remaining Portuguese keeper Francisco Ramos went to clear a cross and the ball ended up in the net to end the Terras dreams of a money-spinning run into the First Round Proper for the first time in 20 years.

However a bitterly disappointed Buckle refused to blame the young keeper.

"It wasn't his fault," he said. "Chico (Ramos) came to punch and sent the ball against their player and it just rebounded back into the top corner.

"Their lad didn't know much about it and you couldn't blame Chico. It was just one of those things and that's the way it's going for us at the moment.

"We dominated the game again and Chico really didn't have a save to make all night. We had ample chances to have won, but they were clearing things off their goal-line all night - it was unbelieveable at times. It just never went for us.

"Ian Hutchinson had one incredible chance when the ball hit their player on the heel as he stood on the goal-line and Martin Barlow also had a certain goal saved on the line.

"Of course we're very disappointed - but sometimes these things happen in the Cup and we just have to put it behind us and concentrate on putting a decent run together in the league. I am still very

confident we can get into the promotion play-offs."