BY CALLUM ALTIMAS

United’s historic FA Cup campaign came to an end as they lost 1-0 to National League side Solihull Moors at The ARMCO Arena on Saturday afternoon.

Both sides had a number of great chances to score, but it was a lone strike from Moors striker Alex Reid that sealed the deal for the home side.

Joe Sbarra had the game's first real chance, but his long-range effort sailed well over Kieran Preston’s goal.

Ryan Barnett was next to have a go from distance, but his shot was parried away by Preston into the path of Reid who somehow headed over the bar from a yard out.

Barnett then forced another save out of Preston, after he steam rolled into the United area and had a go from a tight-angle, but the Ambers’ shot-stopper was there to deny him once again to sum up his own personal showing.

Reid had another glorious opportunity to fire Solihull in front after getting on the end of a cross into the box, but he hooked his volley well over the goal.

Neal Ardley’s men saw some success with their deliveries into the area and came close to taking the lead again after Ben Coker floated a ball in, but Reid’s subsequent header was claimed comfortably by Preston.

Weathering a heavy storm, a long throw from Adam Chapman saw United have their first real chance of the game, but the brief goalmouth scramble was brought to an end by the linesman’s flag.

After some neat link-up play, the impressive Sbarra was played through on goal for the home side and he fired a sizzling effort on goal, but Preston was there yet again to prevent him.

A headed clearance fell to Coker just outside of the Ambers’ area, but he drilled his effort wide of the goal and the sides went in at the break all square.

Moors wasted no time after the restart piling the pressure Basford and a ball into the box was headed narrowly over by Josh Kelly, just moments before Anthony Dwyer picked the ball up on the edge of the area but his strike went wide.

The home side finally broke the deadlock after a defence-splitting past was played through to Reid and he slotted it past Preston just before the hour.

The goal lit a fire in United red and Starkie almost immediately scored an equaliser just seconds later after he dashed into Solihull’s area and curled an effort towards goal, but it was tipped over the bar excellently by Ryan Boot.

And they came close once again after Gregg Smith flicked a header into Owen Betts' path and his fierce shot was turned wide by Boots' desperate hand.

Starkie again caused problems for Solihull shortly afterwards but struck the side netting, before Chapman fired over with United well on top.

In a rare second-half foray forward, Reid should have doubled Solihull’s lead after a ball was played across the box to the striker, but he inexplicably missed the target from just yards out.

Basford continued pressing up the field in search of an equaliser right until the end but Moors held on to secure a place in the first round of the FA Cup.

UNITED: Preston; Betts, Barnes, Chapman (Dunn 73'), Roma, Irvine; Munakandafa (Patrick 82'), Thornhill (c), Smith (Grantham 85'), Dwyer, Starkie
SUBS (not used): Palmer, Clark, Bertram, Musson

ATT: 1058 [127 away]