Rovers go out of cup

With players missing boss Dan Kennoy opted to rotate the side from Saturday’s 4-3 league win at Burnham, but a lapse of concentration allowed Arlesey striker Chris Marsh to latch on to a through ball and slip past Richard Wilmot.

Piero Bagarone equalised shortly after with a wonderful lob as Barton played the better football. A straight through ball again caught Rovers out and ex-Barton man Joel Mason rounded the onrushing Wilmot to give Arlesey the lead.

Arlesey then made it 3-1 seven minutes later through Mason’s simple tap-in.

Bobby Dance and Bagarone went close and, although Russell Bull pulled one back just before the hour it wasn’t enough.

Kennoy said: “We can be proud of a performance that, I’m sure, would have won over the neutral fans tonight.

“We played some impressive football against a strong Arlesey Town side that won our division last season. But Arlesey to their credit took their chances and their vastly experienced defenders were the difference.”

Rovers host Northwood in the league on Saturday and visit Chesham in the Red Insure League Cup on Tuesday night.