The Hatters Under-18s bowed out of the Youth Alliance Cup at the quarter-final stage after losing on penalties to Bromley on Saturday.

Chances for both sides were few and far between in the first half but the Town upped the ante in the second period.

However, their chances were made more difficult when Christian Chigozie was sent-off for an off-the-ball incident on 56 minutes.

But that did not deter the Town and Joe Deeney’s side came close to breaking the deadlock when Charlie Trustram headed wide.

Substitute Michael Takawira was then denied twice by the Bromley goalkeeper as the Town pushed for a late winner.

But after a goalless 90 minutes the tie went straight to penalties and while Bromley missed three of six, the Town missed four and exited the competition.

A disappointed Deeney said: “We were nowhere near our usual selves and the first half we were really poor.

“We just didn’t turn up but credit to Bromley. They were well organised and their goalkeeper made a number of excellent saves.

“After the red card, we played better, it gave us fresh impetus but we couldn’t find a goal and the game fizzled out to penalties.”

Next week the Under-18s return to league action against Leyton Orient at The Brache on Saturday, kick-off 10.30am.

Town: Thomas, Roberts-Edema, Fox, Chigozie, Emery, Evans, Ioannides, Stitt, Odegah, Trustram, Xavier-Jones.

Subs: Asamoah Junior, Hockey, Hincapie-Alfonso, Takawira, Kwame Anson.