AFC EMLEY return to the bread and butter of Baris Northern Counties East League First Division action at Appleby Frodingham tomorrow after their memorable FA Vase run was finally ended.

Suffolk side Hadleigh United scored just two minutes into the twice-postponed fourth-round tie at the Welfare Ground and held out to win 1-0.

Battling Emley had defeated three higher-level opponents on their way to the last 32 of the prestigious national competition, but were unable to claim another scalp.

Marcus Josiah capitalised on hesitancy in the home midfield and ran free to slot past Luke Herriot.

The visitors, from the Eastern Counties League Premier Division, looked a strong and skilful side and it looked like Emley would have their work cut out to stay in touch with them.

But Darren Hepworth’s side gradually found their way back into the game and dominated the first half.

John Cyrus headed onto the roof of the net from a free-kick and Liam Schofield hit a fizzing drive from 25 yards out which forced an impressive save from Darren Moyes.

Aaron Joseph put in an energetic display, popping up in most areas of the pitch at one time or another, and was thwarted by Moyes from close range.

Doran Jordan put in one of his best shifts in an Emley shirt and was unlucky to see the ball spin just wide after beating a man turning inside and shooting from the edge of the box.

Moyes commanded his area well and made a good claim from another Cyrus header which was flying towards goal.

Emley’s leading scorer Ashley Flynn had to pass a fitness test to play and appeared a shadow of his normal self, spurning a good chance when Cyrus flicked on an Anthony Haigh cross.

Despite their dominance Emley had an escape just before half-time when Hadleigh striker Lee McGlone was allowed a free header, but hit the base of a post.

Moyes made an good second-half stop from a Haigh drive, then Schofield shot just over the bar from a free-kick as Emley piled on the pressure.

The best save of the game came from a Steven Kenworthy volley from the edge of the six-yard box which was tipped around the post.

At the other end, keeper Herriot thwarted Scott Chaplin after McGlone dispossessed Emley skipper Paul Sykes on the halfway line and teed up his teammate.

Boss Hepworth introduced Brad Riley in place of Flynn with 20 minutes to go, moving Kenworthy into the central striker’s role.

Riley made an instant impact, releasing the overlapping Schofield down the left who then put a low ball across the face of goal with Kenworthy agonisingly close to poking it home.

Emley kept creating, but when Schofield rattled the bar with another free-kick and Kenworthy’s drive from the edge of the box went just wide, it was clear this just wasn’t to be their day.

Emley, who are sixth, will now try to take advantage of games in hand on many of the sides above them, starting with their clash with Appleby over in Scunthorpe.

AFC Emley: Herriot, Leech, Schofield, Ingham, Sykes, Cyrus, Joseph, Jordan (Maturine, 82mins), Flynn (Riley, 70mins), Haigh, Kenworthy.