CAMBRIDGE UNITED 1 WEYMOUTH 0

WEYMOUTH'S hopes of reaching the third round of the FA Cup for the first time in 24 years was cruelly ended by Cambridge United at the Abbey Stadium.

Scott Rendell's 25th minute penalty was enough to end the Terras' dream of meeting one of the Premier League's big boys in January.

Boss Jason Tindall made six changes for Saturday's second round tie and adopted a 4-5-1 formation to combat the powerful home side.

The tactical plan so nearly came off as the Terras produced a battling performance before going out of the competition.

United were denied the perfect start when Neil Young was penalised 30 yards out, but Jason Matthews was on hand to save brilliantly from Gavin Hoyte after Stephen Reed had played the free-kick into his path.

Matthews easily held Rendell's header from a corner before the Terras mounted their first serious attack.

Sido Jombarti - returning from injury - found Stuart Beavon on the left and the Terras' striker cut inside to play the ball into the U's penalty area, unfortunately Paulo Vernazza's header lacked power allowing ex-Terras keeper Danny Potter to make a comfortable save.

Rob Wolleaston and Rendell had chances for the home side, but they were unable to find the target before the visiting defence was breached in the 25th minute.

Rendell used his strength to shrug off Justin Roberts and found his way into the penalty area only for Roberts to bring him down.

Rendell picked himself up to send Matthews the wrong way from the spot.

Four minutes later the Terras should have levelled but Vernazza was unable to make contact with a cross from Beavon - who was keeping the home defence on their toes as he ploughed a lone furrow up front.

As the first period drew to a close Matthews saved from Wolleaston while Gavin McCallum saw two efforts fly narrowly wide at the other end.

With the strong wind in their favour the Terras put the home side under pressure at the beginning of the second period, with Potter punching clear from Vernazza and Roberts seeing his effort well saved by Potter.

Lee Boylan saw an effort deflected whilst Paul Carden shot well wide before Callum Hart had to make a timely interception to deny Rendell.

Scott Doe did well to intercept when Hoyte threatened before the Terras had a great chance in the 70th minute. Jombarti and Beavon exchanged passes with the Portuguese man being denied by a last-ditch tackle from Mark Peters.

Potter saved from Beavon and McCallum was denied by Carden's tackle before Matthews did well to hold on to Darryl Knight's attempted cross which had turned into a shot after catching the wind.

With the Terras bringing Conal Platt and Stuart Douglas into the action and pushing three up front to try and find the equaliser it was Weymouth who were on top as the tie came to an end.

Beavon's shot on the turn was too high, Potter touched Platt's deflected corner on to the crossbar with Nick Crittenden's effort from the rebound also cleared the cross bar, but the best chance fell to Douglas who found himself in space to collect Platt's long ball forward - however. the striker completely mishit his effort and the home defence were able to clear.

Overall this was a much better performance from the Terras - after two lacklustre displays against Altrincham and York - and the 355 travelling fans will be hoping that their favourites can build on take this in Saturday's vital Blue Square Premier League game with Farsley Celtic.