Northwood let a winning position slip twice as their interest in the FA Cup ended at the First Qualifying Round hurdle with a 3-2 defeat at home to Chichester City on Saturday.

Goals from Ismael Ehui and Gradi Milenge put the home side 2-1 in front at the interval, but it was their Isthmian South East opponents who fought back to advance through to the next round.

Woods welcomed back midfielder’s Matt Ayres and Leo Decabo, who both missed the Bank Holiday defeat at Hanwell Town, with Matteo Esposito and Tristan Noel making way.

The home side started well and their early pressure was rewarded after five minutes when Ezekiel Williams released Declan Nche down the right flank, with the latter centering for Ehui who took the ball on his chest before poking it beyond goalkeeper Ryan Young.

Chichester gradually worked their way into the contest and enjoyed some opportunities. At the other end, another strong run from Nche ended with his shot being saved by Young before the Chichester stopper was called upon again as he parried an effort from Shakeel Morris.

However, it was the visitors who drew level on 33 minutes after Gicu Iordache was allowed to run across the edge of the Northwood box before firing in a low shot which evaded the reach of Montel Joseph and nestled in the far corner.

Woods posted a swift response three minutes later after a well-worked short corner routine saw Decabo tee up Milenge, who converted from close range to restore his side’s lead.

And Milenge almost grabbed his second of the afternoon in first-half stoppage time with an instinctive backheel which landed in the grateful arms of Young.

After Nche had sent a long-range shot wide early in the second period, the visitors began to dominate possession. Goalscorer Iordache twice went close to adding to his tally as Joseph saved well before a header rebounded off the Northwood crossbar.

The Lillywhites continued to threaten as Scott Jones headed narrowly over while a deflected shot from Tyrone Madhani was gathered by Joseph. And the visitors were finally rewarded for their second-half efforts on 62 minutes, somewhat aided by Woods’ inability to clear their lines, Kaleem Haitham taking full advantage as he forced the ball home.

Having gone close to conceding again after a poor clearance fell to Iordache who squandered the opportunity with a wayward shot, Northwood threatened at the other end as Morris played in Ismael Ehui but he was denied by a well-timed tackle from Ben Pashley.

Northwood gathered themselves as they went in search of the winning strike and they weren’t far away as a cross from Joakim Ehui, a 70th-minute replacement for his brother, was pulled back by Williams to Ayres but his shot flew the wrong side of the crossbar.

Woods made another change on 83 minutes as Sam Coles was introduced for Williams but their cup hopes were to end seven minutes from time when poor marking at a corner allowed substitute Lewis Hyde to dive full length and head the ball home.