Bala Town saw their hopes of Welsh Cup glory suffer extra-time heartache after falling to a 1-0 quarter-final defeat against Cardiff Met at Maes Tegid.

There was little to choose between the two teams in wet and windy conditions, with the tie being settled eight minutes into the extra time when Elliot Evans headed in Matt Neale’s left wing cross.

Bala had their chances, notably when Stuart J Jones headed against the bar in the last minute of normal time, but defences remained on top after 90 minutes.

The Cardiff visitors, having already lifted the Nathaniel MG Cup at the start of the year, made a promising start to the match, with Adam Roscrow and Will Evans having a couple of early efforts.

The Lakesiders had chances late in the first half, with Kieran Smith failing to capitalise on a promising opening after losing his footing, before Steven Tames saw his strike from the edge of the box tipped over by goalkeeper Dan Evans.

The second half continued in similar vein, with Tames pulling a shot wide, while at the end Emlyn Lewis’ spectacular wind-assisted effort from inside his own half landed on the roof of the net.

The Lakesiders almost snatched a dramatic win in the last minute when Stuart J Jones rattled the crossbar with a headed effort, but the tie went to extra time.

At the start of the additional half an hour, Tames broke through with keeper Evans to beat, but his pass to Henry Jones was cut out by a superb clearance from Emlyn Lewis with the goal beckoning.

That proved a key moment for the hosts as the students took the lead on 98 minutes when Neale’s ball into the area was powered in at the far post by Eliot Evans.

The Lakesiders battled to find a way back into the game, but their efforts were to no avail, with Nathan Burke’s 25-yarder dipping over the crossbar, while Mike Hayes’ close range chance was smothered by goalkeeper Evans.