OPERATING week in, week out in the Western Counties League, Drybrook might have expected to shade out Longlevens in this cup clash at Mannings Road.
But, as is so often the case, status means nothing in one off matches and Drybrook were left to reflect on two extra-time penalty goals which sent them sliding to a belated and unexpected defeat.
"We have no complaints. We only rarely functioned as a team and made far too many mistakes," said club official Paul Mason.
"Longlevens play a league below us but they looked a good outfit. We played well enough to be ahead at half-time and at the break in extra-time, but we were never that convincing," he said.
The Foresters may reflect on an early injury to centre Steve Rawlings.
"He was an important player for us and to lose him so early on was a bad blow," said Mason.
"It disrupted our pattern and we lacked rhythm. On far too many occasions we lost the ball as we were going forward."
A first-half try by Peter Crowell and a second-half penalty by Mike Johnson completed Drybrook's scoring at fulltime. In extra-time Crowell gained touchdown number two taking advantage of a powerful scrummage.
It looked as though his team had just done enough until Longlevens goalkicker Antonijevic found his range and slotted over two excellent penalty goals.
"We would have liked a cup run," reflected Mason. "But the league has to be the top target. Our aim will be at least to finish as high as last season when we were fifth," he said.