ANDY Preece insists Worcester City should still be in the FA Cup following his team's courageous display against Huddersfield Town.

City slipped to a 1-0 defeat against 10-men Town, midfielder Chris Brandon securing the Terriers a hugely attractive trip to Premiership champions Chelsea after earlier losing Danny Schofield to a second bookable offence.

Despite their cup exit at St George's Lane, Worcester distinguished themselves against their professional League One counterparts in front of BBC's cameras and millions of viewers world-wide.

Buoyed on by a boisterous atmosphere, City created enough good chances to at least secure a replay in West Yorkshire, but were regularly denied by Town goalkeeper Paul Rachubka.

Player-manager Preece reckons a lack of discipline was to blame for Huddersfield's second-half winner.

"We are really disappointed," said Preece. "I can't fault the effort we put in, but we just lacked a little bit of discipline in our shape. That cost us the goal.

"The lads are disappointed and that's nothing to do with the draw. I didn't care if it was Chelsea next or anybody, it made no difference.

"We felt we were 10 per cent below what we can be and if we had found that 10 per cent, we would probably be in the next round.

"On opportunities created, we had the better of them and should have at least drawn the game and maybe won it."

Preece admits that the sending off of winger Schofield provided the perfect opportunity for Worcester to press home the advantage. But a lack of concentration closing down Brandon's strike and failing to convert several presentable chances proved City's undoing.

Preece added: "When they went down to 10 men, we wanted to get on the front foot. But we just let them get on top, because of the ill-discipline of our shape.

"We could have been 1-0 up with Leon Kelly going through and a toe deflecting it wide. That's how close it is -- a big toe separating us from being in the next round."

Town boss Peter Jackson was relieved to progress, admitting City pushed his side to the limit. He said: "Worcester are a good side and they competed hard. I knew we'd get a tough game and they pushed us.

"Full credit to Worcester. But I thought we were the better footballing side and I think in the end our fitness levels told."