Nathaniel Pinney,pictured in action against Mansfield Town on Saturday, was one of few players to catch the ey on Tuesday evening Pic: Keith Chase

First team regulars reseted, but still should have had enough to get through

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Ebbsfleet United were certainly hoping for more from their senior players after being dumped out of the Kent Senior Cup at the hands of Ryman One South side Hythe Town after extra-time on Tuesday night.

Fleet used four reserve players – but included Alex Stavrinou, Nathaniel Pinney, Ricky Shakes, Lanre Azeez and recent additions Tom McNeil, Ben Adams and Ross Smith in the starting line-up.

That should have been enough to get through to the last four to face Dover Athletic, but they were outplayed by a team from three levels below the Blue Square Bet Premier – and boss Liam Daish was visibly angered by their abject performance.

The trip to York in the FA Trophy this weekend is of more importance to the Fleet chief than the Kent Senior Cup, but he would still have expected his side to progress.

The hosts rarely troubled Dean Puddy in the visitors’ goal, while Hythe enjoyed plenty of the possession and chances.

Alex Stavrinou forced Puddy to tip a long-range shot over the bar in their only effort from open play on target.

Back-up keeper McNeil produced a double save from James Dryden, while he was also on hand to save from Ronnie Dolan.

Fleet fell behind after 68 minutes when John Walker’s corner was fired home by substitute Nick Reeves and they appeared to be crashing out until Pinney converted from the spot late on after the referee adjudged that Lee Winfield had brought down Reece Lyons in the box.

But if the first 90 minutes was a poor show from Ebbsfleet, it got even worse in the extra 30 minutes as the hosts conceded three times.

Kieron Byrne netted two minutes after the restart as he bundled in from close range, before Dolan thumped the ball past McNeil from the edge of the area.

To round off a miserable night, substitute Craig Thompson curled another effort past the hosts late on.

Ebbsfleet: McNeil, Morris, Byrne-Stevens, Stavrinou, Lyons, Smith, Devine (Adewunmi, 82 mins), Adams (Claridge, 82 mins), Pinney, Shakes (Masroh-McDowell, 57 mins), Azeez. Subs not used: Blackburn, French.