Melton Town’s seven-year wait for a County Cup victory goes on

Melton’s seven-year wait for a Leicesterhire Senior Cup victory goes on after defeat to higher league opposition as they lost 3-1 at home to North Kilworth on Tuesday night.

The early exchanges were evenly contested, with both defences on top and clear-cut chances at a premium.

The first opportunity didn't arrive until the 16th minute when a North Kilworth long throw was allowed to bounce around the Melton penalty area before eventually falling to Reece Hookway.

He attempted an overhead kick, but Harrison Eley-Gaunt was able to make a comfortable save.

Halfway through the first half, a long diagonal ball was not dealt with by the Melton defence and fell to Kyran Taylor inside the six-yard box, but his weak effort was easily saved by Eley-Gaunt. Jude Coates also tried his luck from distance, again finding the Melton keeper equal to the task.

Melton's first real opportunity came on the half-hour mark when Jack Hickey's corner found Alfie Bunch unmarked at the back post, but his free header went into the sidenetting.

Two minutes later, the visitors broke the deadlock.

Coates made a driving run into the Melton penalty area before unleashing a powerful shot which Eley-Gaunt did well to save.

Unfortunately for Melton, the rebound fell straight to Hookway, who had the simple task of tapping the ball home.

Melton responded by upping the tempo in search of an equaliser.

Harry Clarke switched the play out to Tom Rood, who cut inside before letting fly, only for Isaac King to produce a good save and tip the ball over the bar.

Then, right on the stroke of half-time, Clarke delivered a corner low towards the near post.

Tom Wakley got a touch on the ball, diverting it just inside the upright to bring Melton level.

The second half saw North Kilworth begin to create the better chances.

A through ball, which looked suspiciously offside, sent Hookway clear on goal and he calmly slid the ball past the advancing Eley-Gaunt to restore the visitors' lead.

Just after the hour mark, a deep cross found Dom Lanni unmarked in the area, but his header was well saved by Eley-Gaunt.

The next attack saw Archie Gallagher drive into the Melton penalty area before firing a shot across the face of goal which missed the far post by inches.

Gallagher was soon causing problems again, beating the Melton defence for pace before curling an effort narrowly wide.

The game was effectively put to bed in the 77th minute.

A long cross found Matt Hart inside the penalty area and, as Morgan Powell slid in to make a challenge, he was adjudged to have taken the player as well as the ball.

Gallagher stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way from the spot to make it 3-1.

Ollie Pearce-Smith then produced a mazy run, beating two players before sending a low effort from the edge of the area narrowly wide.

Melton's final opportunity came when Cristian Bottini played a lovely ball down the touchline to Pearce-Smith.

He cut inside from the byline and sent in a low shot which required a good save from King at his near post.

This was a typical cup tie which was evenly contested in the first half, but the higher league opposition took control after the break and ultimately deserved their place in the second round.

Melton can now turn their attention back to league action with an away trip to Community Football Academy on Saturday.