Defeat in this extra preliminary round match at the Millfield on Saturday makes it 13 years since Hadleigh got past the first hurdle, last winning an FA Cup tie in 1995-96.

The goal came courtesy of the home defence, which had offered a few gifts to Yarmouth during the course of the game.

A free kick from Adam Sewell was flicked on to the unmarked Ager at the back post and he shot powerfully across Luke Whitwell and into the far side of the net.

Hadleigh had briefly disputed the free kick, the referee over-ruling his assistant, who had flagged for offside against Yarmouth, and penalising Daniel Oakes for obstruction, a costly decision.

But it was always a game that looked like being settled by an error, with neither side able to create much in the way of clear-cut chances, and both keepers only rarely being seriously tested.

Hadleigh's best hope was in the first half, when they played some neat football and forced Elliott Pride into a couple of good saves.

The first came after eight minutes when Lee Smith's free kick was half-cleared, and Patrick Fleming's fierce shot from the edge of the box was tipped over by Pride.

And in the 24th minute Daniel George and Craig Payne linked up, Pride coming out swiftly to block the shot at Jake Kingston's feet.

Payne had squandered a chance in the 14th minute, his first touch to a fine through ball from Nathan Szyszlyk taking him wide, and the shot being off-target.

In response Yarmouth saw two shots blocked in quick succession by Whitwell after the keeper had failed to hold on to an early corner, and the keeper turn a close-range shot from Nick Crawley behind.

Late in the first half Robbie Knott had to come to the rescue and concede a corner as Darren Lamb pounced on a poor back pass.

The interval didn't help Hadleigh, who were nowhere near as fluent in the second half, although an early half-chance came the way of Darius Laws and Pride had to make a smart save.

Whitwell made another good stop in the 61st minute after a series of errors had let in Crawley, but after that the game appeared to be heading for a stalemate.

Yarmouth inevitably pulled back to defend their lead. Payne saw a shot deflect to safety off Gareth Palmer and inches wide in the 89th minute, and Pride made a superb diving save to deny Hadleigh's last effort from Laws one minute later.

Hadleigh Utd: Whitwell; L Smith, Oakes, Fleming, Knott (Davies 85), Crawford, Laws, Kingston, Payne, Szyszlyk (Tournay-Godfrey 78), George (Cowan 65). Subs (not used): Myhill, Woods.

l Chris Leys is back at the Millfield after two seasons at Stowmarket. He was not able to appear on Saturday as the paperwork was not completed by the Greens Meadow club in time.