London Colney’s unbeaten start to the season ended with a disappointing 1-0 defeat at Hadley sending them out of the FA Cup.

Despite sitting at the lower end of the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division, Hadley were a real tough nut to crack and the Blueboys never really got going.

Injuries to Greg Shaw and Jack Woods early on didn’t help although Hadley’s winner was a kick in the teeth, coming four minutes into first-half injury time.

Ivan Machado got it, cutting in from the right wing into space and striking a real sizzler into the top left corner of the net.

He had already hit the post in the first period and Hadley could have easily extended their advantgae with chances for Zaine Gangadeen, Dominic Petrucci and Ibrahim Lukulay all going close.

Colney’s chances were limited.

Russell Gallagher had a drive safely gathered at the near post by Charlie Mann while another Gallagher effort deflected wide of the post.

Spencer Clarke-Mardel had two very good chances in the second half, both of which went wide and Ashley Morrissey shot just over as the Blueboys won a succession of corner kicks late on.

It wasn’t enough though to bring an equaliser and Hadley will now face Kings Langley in the second qualifying round.

Colney face Stotfold in the Dudley Latham Memorial Cup tomorrow (Tuesday) before going to Hoddesdon Town on Saturday in the league.