Saffron Walden Town's FA Cup adventure came to an end in the preliminary round - but not before giving Isthmian League Walthamstow a scare.

The Bloods were beaten 3-2 away at the Division One North side, one level higher than the Essex Senior League.

Walden had already seen off one step four side, beating Barton Rovers in a replay in the extra-preliminary round, and they definitely brought some of that confidence to the match in east London although it took until the second half to see it.

They were punished on the quarter-hour mark, defender Darren Phillips failing to clear his lines and allowing Walthamstow striker Brian Moses to go one-on-one with keeper Jake Anderson.

His finish was precise, through Anderson’s legs, and worse was to follow on 27 minutes when Kymani Thomas was allowed to cut inside and hit a wonderful strike beyond Anderson.

The interval allowed a reset and two minutes after the restart, a long throw wasn't cleared and after the ball came off the crossbar, Adalberto Pinto struck home the rebound.

From then on, it was a Bloods onslaught, with Wall hitting the post with a scuffed effort, and Ricky Modeste and Sam Deering forcing home goalkeeper Hafed Al-Droubi into several fine stops.

A drinks break on 70 minutes proved crucial, giving Walthamstow a breather, and they made it count moments later with their first real venture into Walden territory in the second half.

Another defensive error and Moses made it 3-1 with a header.

Walden though made it nervy for them, pulling a second back with three minutes to go, Lee Hursit striking a sweet volley following a set-piece.

They had a long period of stoppage time to try and find an equaliser but it never came.

Town now have a two-week break before returning to action at home to Halstead Town on August 31 in the Essex Senior League.

SWTFC: Anderson, Skelton (Hoskins 75), Phillips, Campbell, Luke, Sartain (J.Hursit 74), Pinto, Deering (L.Hursit 83), Modeste, Nalbant (Head 83), Wall.

Subs (not used): Lewis-Kirwan, Bransgrove.