Wycombe Wanderers were knocked out of the second round of the League Cup for the second consecutive year as they lost 1-0 at home to Sutton United.
The Chairboys began the opening stages on the front foot and nearly took the lead inside the first 10 minutes through Garath McCleary.
The Jamaican, who was making his first start of the season, was put through by Freddie Potts but his first-time shot was parried by the Jack Rose in the Sutton goal, before the Potts himself tried his luck.
However, his attempt was blocked.
Wycombe continued to push forward as Sam Vokes and Richard Keogh went close, before the visitors took the lead against the run of play.
After a mixed up at the back, Aiden O’Brien found himself one-on-one with Max Stryjek and he tucked it beyond the Polish keeper.
It was his first strike for the club since joining on loan from Shrewsbury Town.
The goal sparked some life into Sutton’s play as they got in Wanderers’ faces and nearly increased their advantage, as Omari Patrick forced Stryjek into a save and Craig Coley saw his shot go wide.
During the second period, the Chairboys knocked on the Sutton door but couldn't find that equaliser.
Luke Leahy, who came on for Harry Boyes, hit the post with a close-range header whilst a Killian Phillips shot went wide.
David Wheeler then had two glorious chances to level things up, but his first header went inches wide, whilst his second header flew over the bar.
The result means Wycombe still haven’t won a League Cup tie at home inside 90 minutes since August 2003.
For Sutton, it was only their second win of the season in all competitions, and their first since the opening day of the League Two campaign.
Additionally, it’s the third year in a row that Wycombe have been eliminated from a cup competition by a side lower than them in the football pyramid.
This comes after the 1-0 home loss against Hartlepool United in the FA Cup in 2021/22, and the 2-0 home defeat versus Walsall in the same competition 12 months later.
Both sides were in League Two at the time of the fixture.
Up next for the Chairboys is Northampton Town at Sixfields Stadium on Saturday, September 2.
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