MALDON and Tiptree bowed out of the FA Cup at the first round stage after losing 1-0 to Morecambe.

The Jammers, of Pitching In Isthmian League division north, pushed their League Two opponents all the way at Park Drive in a tie screened live on the BBC iPlayer.

But they were ultimately made to pay the penalty after Adam Phillips slotted home a spot-kick just before half-time, to see the Shrimps through to the second round.

Maldon went into the tie on the back of 12 unbeaten matches and more than held their own against their EFL opponents.

The Jammers almost took the lead in the first half when striker Shomari Barnwell found himself through on goal but was denied by Morecambe keeper Jake Turner.

The visitors then began to look more dangerous and created more of the opportunities.

Maldon keeper Ben McNamara was in fine form, making a low save to deny Phillips and then foiling Wildig with a brave block.

McNamara then made another superb close-range stop from Jordan Slew volley.

But just as it looked as though Maldon would go in at half-time on level terms, the visitors scored.

McNamara brought Carlos Mendes-Gomes down in the area and Phillips slotted home the resultant penalty, for 1-0.

McNamara denied Knight-Percival and Phillips, before Morecambe had an effort ruled out when Mendes-Gomes' effort was chalked off for offside.

Maldon kept going and hunting for an equaliser and they came agonisingly close to levelling things up when substitute Adam Vyse's shot from the edge of the box flew inches wide.

But Morecambe might have wrapped up victory near the end when Cole Stockton headed wide from close range, with the goal at his mercy.

Maldon kept pushing until the end but an equaliser was not forthcoming, as the Jammers bowed out.

Maldon: McNamara, Butler, Cracknell, Stokes, Ryan-Khanye, Coombes, William-Bushell (sub Hasanally, 64), McClenaghan (sub Stagg, 84), Kai, Barnwell, Kemp (sub Vyse, 75). Substitutes (not used): Garrett-Douglas, Cornish, Noel-Mcleod, Conway.