Newark and Sherwood United who welcomed Louie Jarvis back after long injury spell, exit the FA Vase with 4-1 defeat to Lichfield City

A difficult game is how the defeat in the FA Vase for Newark and Sherwood United was described by club officials as they lost 4-1 to Lichfield City in the FA Vase.

The journey to Wembley is now over for The Highwaymen who will focus their efforts in the League Cup and the United Counties League Premier Division North competitions.

The game which was held on remembrance day started with veterans being welcomed to the Collingham ground at Station Road, scouts forming up, a bugle playing the last post, and two minutes of silence to respect the fallen.

Spirits were high at the ground as Louie Jarvis was announced on the bench of the side for the first time in nearly four months.

Jarvis had suffered a broken leg in the pre-season derby against Newark Town and last season's Lincoln United's young player of the year was a welcomed sight back.

For Lichfield City, a club that plays their football in the Midland Football League they were looking to progress to the third round of the Vase competition for the first time in their team's history.

The Staffordshire-based club was feeling confident as the step five side is currently sitting third in the table of their competition.

The visitors had a few milestones of their own with Dan Lomas celebrating his 100th game for the club and Luke Childs playing his 150th game for the side.

Lichfield came out of the changing rooms strong, putting pressure on The Highwaymen's goal from the initial whistle.

Dan Smith got the side on the board to take the visitors off the field, ahead 1-0 at half-time.

Ten minutes after the break, Lichfield doubled the scoreline.

Kieran Francis got his first of the afternoon thanks to a nice pass from Smith who had a hand in the second goal with the assist.

Liam Moran stepped up to peg one back for the home side as he hit a lovely ball after Lichfield failed to clear the ball.

At 2-1 United looked to be back in the game but Lichfield were determined and continued pressing the attack.

Their player was brought down in the Highwaymen's box and a penalty was awarded.

Dan Lomas seized the opportunity and converted from the spot to put his side up by two.

Francis got his brace to put the well-drilled visitors ahead by three and the game finished with Lichfield deserved 4-1 winners.

Jarvis got a few minutes in the legs in the dying stages of the game as he looks to build match fitness for The Highwaymen.

"I don't think we were at the races today," said United's man-of-the-match Liam Moran.

"As a collective, we knew that it was definitely felt in the dressing room at the end.

"We take nothing away from them, they are a good side.

"They have only lost once all season, but we need to do better than that at the end of the day.

"I thought when we brought it back to 2-1, we were close to getting that second goal to tie things up.

"I thought we were the team in the ascendency.

"The penalty made it 3-1 and it knocked us back a little bit.

"I think we still had to keep battling.

"I think we tried.

"We huffed and puffed a little bit today but didn't quite seem to get going."

"It was a difficult game," said United manager Jonathan D'Laryea.

"They were a very good side and credit to them.

"However, I don't think we gave the game we should have given them.

"It was a harsh learning experience for us as a collective.

"We cannot afford to be at nothing but our best in order to win football matches.

"We are determined to put things right and start to climb up the league table.

"Well done to Litchfield City, they thoroughly deserved the win."

The Highwaymen will now travel to Skegness on Saturday for their next league game (kick-off 3pm).