Colney Heath's participation in this year's FA Cup ended despite a brave fight against FC Romania.

They lost 5-2 at home to their Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division rivals, having got back to 2-2 after conceding two first-half goals.

The first of them came after just three minutes, Tobi Coker firing high into the net after a free-kick from the right was driven into the box.

It would have been two but for Connor Sansom's smart save to push away an effort from former Magpie Zenon Stylianides.

Phil Lowen was also denied by Sansom who tipped a header over the top but Romania would find a way through in the minutes before half-time, Coker allowed to run unchallenged on the Magpies' goal.

It wasn't the final goal of the half though.

Billy Owen had already crashed one effort into the side netting but made no mistake when set-up by a through ball from Ibrahim Camara, smashing it beyond the visiting keeper.

And it was all-square two minutes after the resumption.

Jordan Kinoshi had seen a first-half shot saved by Elgi Fejzo but after robbing a defender inside the box and then beating another to create the space, he drilled the ball low into the right corner.

The Magpies nearly took the lead when Godfrey Opoku, who had only been on for a couple of minutes, had a well-struck shot deflected away from the keeper, skimming the post on its way behind.

It proved a pivotal moment as FC Romania went back in front on 57 minutes, Allie Bangura on target.

The Mags did keep pressing, Kinoshi firing over from a tight angle and other attacks beaten away, when Coker struck again for his hat-trick and to seal the tie on 72 minutes.

Opoku, James Samways and Camara all went close as Heath desperately looked for a way back in the game but with gaps left behind, an own-goal made it 5-2.

Colney Heath are back in cup action on Saturday when they travel to White Ensign in the FA Vase.

Colney Heath: Sansom, Thomas-Fraser, Willing, Hobbs, Denham, Doolan, Woods, Camara, Kinoshi, Owen, Montvydas.

Substitutes: Samways, Percy, Opoku, Longa, Irons, Croucher, Fonti.

Harpenden Town had a week off but are back on Saturday when they go to Potters Bar Town to face St Panteleimon in the league.

London Colney played though, losing 4-0 at home to Eversley & California in Division One of the Combined Counties League.