ROMSEY Town have lost to one Portsmouth side this week, but they feel far from dispirited heading into tomorrow’s FA Vase second qualifying round tie at AFC Portchester.

For the second time this season the Bypass boys were on the wrong end of a 1-0 home scoreline against Moneyfields on Tuesday – this time in the Sydenhams League Cup.

Agonisingly they were level-pegging with the Money men until the 86th minute when Dan Gauntlett struck following good work by former Sholing marksman Warren Hunt.

But assistant manager Carl Bennett took a stack of positives from the game and Town look forward to testing themselves against more Pompey opposition tomorrow.

“Moneyfields are probably the best side we’ve played football-wise.

“They kept the ball and, in the first half in particular, they moved it around the pitch really well,” said Bennett.

“But we dealt with them and kept our shape.

“We nearly scored before half-time through Luke Harry, but their ’keeper (Dave Hook) has made a point-blank save.”

Graham Rix’s Portchester are on a roll right now, unbeaten in four in the Sydenhams Premier Division and through to the second qualifying round of the FA Cup.

But Romsey outgunned Bournemouth Poppies 6-4 in the last round of the Vase and Bennett said: “There’s no reason we can’t go there and give them a game.

“We’ve got a good squad which is starting to gel and the lads put in a decent shift on Tuesday.

“Moneyfields had a few out, but they were still a really good side and we’ve not disgraced ourselves at all.”

Craig Vigar sat out the game, still feeling sore after last Saturday’s 4-2 league win at Fawley, but should return tomorrow.

However, former Winchester City winger Sol Asajile faces a month sidelined with hamstring damage.