ASHVILLE'S dramatic FA Vase run came to an end with a bit of a whimper on Saturday afternoon as the Wallasey side lost 3-0 to South Liverpool.

The game had been billed as a Merseyside derby of sorts but it didn't quite live up to the hype.

This third round tie was originally scheduled to be played two weeks ago at the Ray Parker Stadium but the trusty British weather had other ideas. With two attempts at playing the game at Ashville having failed, the tie was reversed to South Liverpool's Jericho Lane home in Otterspool.

Fans flocked out for what was seen as a hot ticket event with both cup progress and regional pride on the line. The game even garnered the interest of local BBC Radio Merseyside who provided regular, live updates throughout the game. In short, this was the place to be.

The game itself, however, didn't quite live up to the billing with a lacklustre showing from both sides for the majority of the afternoon. Ashville started somewhat brightly though, with Peter Morgan and Josh Maldon both letting off range finders within the first five minutes.

Just three minutes later and the hosts were applying pressure with a succession of corner kicks. Villa escaped unscathed but South Liverpool could smell blood and went for the kill. Another corner on 11 minutes was headed goa-wards where it was parried by Dylan O'Brien back into the six yard box. Mohammed Abdi was on hand to square the ball to a completely unmarked Oscar Billington who tapped home into an empty net.

For the next 15 minutes the game turned into a scrappy midfield battle, South looking to double their lead and Villa seeking an equaliser. It took Ashville until the 25th minute to register their first corner of the game and just like the local buses, four come along right all at the same time. Villa ultimately didn't make anything of this extended period up the other end of the field and the momentum slowly swung back South Liverpool's way.

With the clock ticking towards 35 minutes, Owen Hough slotted home for the hosts to double the lead and effectively put this tie to bed before half time.

Hough nearly put South Liverpool well over the horizon less than 90 seconds later when he cut inside and fired goal-wards, only for his strike partner Billington to get in the way and deflect the shot wide for a goal kick.

The first half chance of note for Ashville came three minutes before half time when Morgan, a rare bright spark on the day for Ashville, got in behind but his shot/cross lacked venom and was straight at Lucas Allan in the hosts goal.

The second half began as the first had ended, the only difference being a couple of Ashville changes along with a change of tactical approach. This did spark some life back into Ashville but the visitors just couldn't sort it out in the final third.

Electric winger, Lewis Moynes, tried to set the tempo straight from the whistle as less than a minute into the restart he stung the fingertips of Allan with a sizzling strike which was tipped over the bar. The resulting corner caused mayhem in the box and eventually it was stabbed goal-wards and, despite his best efforts, Morgan stretched and couldn't quite get the all important touch and out for a goal kick it went.

On 52 minutes the mood was temporarily changed completely after Connor Courtnell failed to get up after a heavy collision and was seemingly unconscious and unresponsive, face first on the ground. The referee called both medical teams on to the pitch as supporters and staff watched on in concern for the left back's welfare. Miraculously, not only did Courtnell leave the field under his own power, but he also passed concussion protocol and returned to the field shortly afterwards.

Ashville took advantage of the break in play to gather their thoughts and hit the hosts fast and hard upon the restart with Moynes once again involved, this time planting a perfect cross onto the head of Jones. The defender turned striker didn't get enough power or the right direction on the header for it to trouble Allan, instead going straight at the South Liverpool keeper.

Just before the hour mark the game was almost well and truly out of sight, Hough getting out wide and fizzing a gorgeous ball across the face of goal that was just missing that all important touch.

Amazingly, this high stakes derby game didn't see a single yellow card until the 61st minute. Unfortunately that yellow card was for Toby Jones to really compound the visitor's woes.

Less than three minutes later though and he almost redeemed himself. Morgan forced a mistake inside the South Liverpool box and his stabbed effort was redirected goal-wards by Jones, drawing an excellent save from Allan to prevent the goal.

And to cap off what was a crazy ten minutes, there was a penalty to Ashville. It was reward for a slightly improved second half performance from Ashville and punishment for a South Liverpool side who had already been deploying time wasting tactics for almost 15 minutes. Ashville finally had a route back into the game and up stepped Tom Hartley but Allan got down to his right to save the kick from the veteran defender. It really wasn't Ashville's day.

Things would only get worse and on 83 minutes, Billington grabbed his second and South Liverpool's third to wrap up the cup tie and send Villa crashing out. The home side's striker was given far too much real estate on the edge of the area and he took full advantage, rifling his effort into the bottom left hand corner of O'Brien's goal.

On the back of Saturday's defeat, Ashville will travel to Droylsden on Tuesday night in what will be Villa's first league game in 66 days. They will then travel to high flying, big budget, Stockport Town on Saturday before welcoming local rivals, Cammell Laird 1907, to the Ray Parker Stadium on Boxing Day.