EARLSWOOD Town surrendered a two-goal lead in a 3-2 defeat to Central Ajax to exit the Les James Challenge Cup at the quarter-finals stage.
First-half goals from Harry Street and Joseph Drake-Cervantes put the Earls in command only for the home side to produce a stunning comeback after the break at Ajax Park.
Despite missing top scorer Dan Elwell through illness, the Earls made a bright start as Ajax goalkeeper Nathan Taylor made a superb double save to deny Street early on.
However, Street eventually broke the deadlock on 23 minutes after latching on to a through ball before producing a calm finish past Taylor.
And the visitors doubled their lead five minutes before half time when Drake-Cervantes thumped the ball home at the second time of asking from six-yards out.
However, Ajax changed formation ahead of the second half and reduced the deficit on 49 minutes as Adam Taylor scored from the penalty spot after Brad Littlehales committed a foul in the box.
And A Taylor drew the home side level on 56 minutes after he drove a low effort past Ethan Pheasey from 18-yards out.
Ajax completed the turnaround six minutes later when Shaye Eden finished from close range to leave the Earls stunned.
Earlswood are next in action at home to Inkberrow on Saturday, February 10 with kick-off at 2.15pm at The Pavilions.
