Tooting & Mitcham's Surrey Senior Cup campaign floundered at the first hurdle on Tuesday when they were beaten by Combined Counties League side Ash United.

Tooting made six changes to their team from the weekend's victory over Worthing with Darren Hill taking over between the posts and Gary Johnson making his debut in midfield.

Ash Utd were gifted the lead after just eight minutes as Hill's attempted clearance rebounded in off one of the home side's forwards.

They went 2-0 up after 32 minutes before Nigel Webb, restored to the starting 11, pulled one back after the Ash keeper dropped his cross.

The striker, who started the season at Carshalton, has now scored four goals in three games and looks to be resuming normal service in front of goal again.

The second half didn't see any worthwhile goalmouth action with neither side attacking with any real vigour. Webb came closest for the visitors after a mix-up in the home defence but his effort was inches away from the goal.

January 31, 2003 15:30