UPTON Town lost 5-1 at higher-ranked Fairfield Villa in the Worcestershire FA Saturday Junior Cup second round.

The visitors’ Sam Passey and Paul Amott missed out with injuries, while captain and top-scorer Kristian Richardson was away.

But player-manager Simon Craddock named a strong line-up and Town caused the hosts problems early on.

Vytas Jelinskas volleyed over from close range following an early corner.

Town had the better of the opening half-hour and Tom Crump was denied direct from a free-kick by a flying save.

Fairfield’s best chances came from set plays as a powerful header came off the bar. Town shaded a good first-half but on 41 minutes they conceded a sloppy goal from a set piece with the Fairfield striker unmarked to flick in from close range.

Upton fell apart in the final seconds and a mistake by Craig Kitchener let in the winger to give the hosts a 2-0 half-time lead.

The Cheltenham Association League side changed to a more attacking formation in a bid to get an early goal back.

But further mistakes gifted Midland League outfit Fairfield their third goal as a number of players questioned a soft free kick on the halfway line that was taken quickly.

Upton’s consistent Matt Hindmarsh was rushed off to hospital with a facial injury from an off-the-ball collision.

Fairfield squeezed in a fourth after keeper Chris Darby got his hands on the shot.

Craddock went close with a powerful free-kick before Crump pulled a goal back with a low, powerful drive from the edge of the box.

But Fairfield had the last say as a long punt upfield was controlled and finished to make it 5-1 in the last minute, which was harsh on the spirited visitors.

Clinical finishing punished Upton’s defensive mistakes.

Town, who are now bottom of the table after a three-point deduction, host RSG in Division One tomorrow (2pm).