Merthyr Town went out of the Buildbase FA Trophy and missed out on £3,250 in prize money at the Viridor Stadium in Somerset.
The Martyrs lost 2-1 against Southern League West Division leaders Taunton Town in an ill-tempered and physical tie.
Manager Gavin Williams and his players were left frustrated after two big penalty appeals were turned down, while one over-exuberant fan as escorted out of the ground after allegedly confronting Taunton chairman Kevin Sturmey.
That followed a Taunton foul, by Ben Adelsbury, which led to a scuffle involving players from both teams.
Merthyr don’t have a midweek match and now focus on Saturday’s Southern League Premier Division trip to Redditch United.
The loss against Taunton was a fifth successive league and cup defeat for the Welsh club and they badly need to end that run at Redditch.
Their trip to the English midlands will be followed by back-to-back home matches against Banbury United and Basingstoke. Banbury travel to Merthyr on Saturday, November 11, while Basingstoke Town are visitors on the following Tuesday.
Taunton’s victory came courtesy of goals from Matt Wright and Adelsbury.
The home team spent most of the second half hanging on and the tension grew when Eliot Richards smashed home a magnificent volley.
But Merthyr couldn’t find the second goal they needed despite a lively performance from striker Mo Touray when he went on.
Taunton manager Leigh Robinson handed starts to Ben Palmer at left wing-back and new signing Matt Buse behind strikers Wright and Dan Sullivan, with Ross Staley and Les Afful dropping to the bench.
Merthyr dominated possession, but there were few chances for strikers Stuart Fleetwood and Ian Traylor.
Taunton went ahead when an Adelsbury free-kick was well saved by goalkeeper Oliver Davies after 12 minutes. The loose ball was crossed into the penalty area and Wright headed home.
Kerry Morgan was a potent threat for Merthyr and from one cross Fleetwood fired against the bar from close in.
The home team extended their lead when a Pierce Mitchell cross struck Morgan on the arm and Taunton were awarded a penalty which Adelsbury converted.
Merthyr finished the game pressing hard and when they pulled a goal back through Richards after 65 minutes the home team looked in trouble.
Goalkeeper Lloyd Irish saved superbly to keep out Robbie Patten’s free-kick and Taunton were pinned in their own half.
But Merthyr could not produce that equalising goal and are now out of the FA Cup and FA Trophy.
Merthyr Town: O Davies, A Davies, K Patten, J Wright, C McDonald, J Bowen, A Evans, E Richards, I TRaylor, S Fleetwood, K Morgan. Subs: S Tancock, R Patten, K Copp, C Jenkins, M Touray.
