BRACKNELL TOWN were eliminated from the FA Cup by League One Ipswich Town after a determined display.
Playing in front of a packed out crowd at SB Meadow, the Robins put on a fine performance as they shut out their opponents for well over an hour.
They had chances of their own in between some excellent stops from Bracknell goalkeeper Michael Eacott.
The Tractor Boys eventually breached the defence when Bracknell captain Daniel Bayliss was unfortunate to turn the ball and Freddie Ladapo added a second in the 73rd minute.
Ipswich sealed their place in the next round with a third goal when Panutche Camara converted from close range.
With 105 places separating the teams in the football pyramid, Bracknell were hoping to pull off a huge FA Cup shock against their League One opponents.
The Tractor Boys have been flying high in League One and are currently in second position as they look to return to the Championship, while Bracknell are in 11th in the Southern League Premier South.
Ipswich had the first effort at goal three minutes in when Kyle Edwards cut in from the right but could only blast a shot high and wide.
The Robins defended resolutely throughout the half and stayed organised which was shown when Anthony Cheshire tracked Freddie Ladapo’s run closely and was able to stop the supply into the forward.
Bracknell enjoyed a good spell of possession down the right as they forced a few throws down the byline before they won the first corner of the game after George Knight showed his strength to shield the ball out.
Bracknell goalkeeper Michael Eacott came out confidently to punch away an inswinging corner.
The referee dished out his first yellow card of the game when he penalised Bracknell’s Jack Dean for a late sliding tackle.
Bracknell captain showed plenty of leadership and laser sharp focus at the back when he first dealt brilliantly with a dangerously drilled cross before he cut out another ball and put it behind for a corner.
The visitors finally made use of their possession and tested the goalkeeper when Ladapo let fly, but Eacott was quick to fly to his left to palm his effort away.
Eacott then made an even better save just a few minutes later when he kept out a point-blank range shot from Kane Vincent-Young to keep the scores locked at 0-0 going into the half-time break.
Bayliss made a vital tackle in the box to prevent what would have been an opening for Vincent-Young just five minutes after the restart.
The Robins got on the front foot and Gary Abisogun won his team a corner when his cross was deflected behind.
They won another corner as they began to apply some pressure but Ipswich managed to clear their lines.
Abisogun forced a save from Vaclav Hladky when he hit a low drive that was comfortably stopped.
Bracknell had a chance on the hour mark when Abisogun tried to feed Jordan Esprit but overhit the through ball which ran on through to the keeper.
Eacott came to the rescue with another important stop when he got his body in the way of Ladapo’s strike.
Joint managers Carl Withers and Jamie McClurg decided to make their first switch which saw Esprit replaced by Mickel Platt.
The substitute almost caused an instant impact when his shot was blocked and the rebound fell for Bayliss who lifted a shot over the bar.
Just moments later, Ipswich took the lead when Bayliss inadvertently put the ball in his own net after Vincent-Young flew down the left byline and placed a dangerous ball into the six yard area.
Ipswich added their second of the night when Vincent-Young again caused problems with his pace and found Ladapo waiting in the middle who was on hand to finish on the volley.
The League One side then wrapped up the tie in the 81st minute when West Burns burst through and unselfishly squared the ball for Pantuche Camara to tap into the empty net.
Bracknell kept battling and tried to get themselves on the scoresheet when Kameron English showed desire down the left and won a corner.
Hladky had to be alert to punch an inviting set piece delivery away from goal to preserve his clean sheet.
The final whistle blew with Ipswich safely making it through to the next round as they avoided an FA Cup shock.
Bracknell Town: Eacott, Dean, Bayliss, Cheshire, Burden, Herbert, Knight, Lodge, English, Abisogun, Esprit
Subs: Sanders, Grant, Cook, Penton, Rees, Moore, Grant, Osu, Platt
Ipswich Town: Hladky, Donacien, Keogh, Burgess, Vincent-Young, Ball, Humphreys, Morsy, Jackson, Ladapo, Edwards
Subs: Walton, Davis, Edmunson, Burns, Chaplin, Coleman, Pereira Camara, Agbaje, Buadbo
Goals: Bayliss 65’ (og), Ladapo 73’, Camara 81’
