With the Ginger Pickle Arena bathed in sunshine, expectations were high that the Yachtsmen could get the season off to a flying start in the Emirates FA Cup.

Manager Jordan Southgate made eight new signings during the summer and of those, Adam Crookes, Billy Batch and Ryan Hawkins (second spell) made their Wroxham debuts. Charlie Moore, Lucas Poll, Jesse Fenn and Alfie Bell started on the bench which included young goalkeeper, Benji Hopcroft.

After just four minutes, the referee – James Newman awarded Wroxham a free kick in a dangerous position, but Josh Hazell’s effort cleared the cross bar.

With a quarter of an hour gone, Ipswich Wanderers’ Paulo Coelho found himself in the referee’s notebook after a crude challenge on Billy Batch.

Striker Hawkins had his first chance with half an hour gone but he headed wide from a Sammy Johnson cross, and two minutes later, centre back Ben Lewis went on a marauding run deep into Ipswich territory but failed to get a shot away.

As half time approached, Kieran Money and Johnson both went close to breaking the deadlock. Despite the visitors having plenty of possession, it was the home side looking the most likely to score.

The teams emerged for the second half with no changes in personnel and with a hour gone, Tom Coombe had to clear following a back pass.

Southgate did make changes after 64 minutes with Alfie Bell and Ethan Flack both entering the field of play with Jordan King and Shaun Taylor making way.

Midfielder Johnson went close again soon after following good work by Flack and then Hazell had his name taken as it looked like the teams would have to settle for a replay in Suffolk on Tuesday night.

However, with seven minutes left, the visitors took the lead and two minutes later killed the tie with a brilliant strike from Jacob Lay which went in off the post, giving Coombe no chance.

Jesse Fenn came on for his debut after 88 minutes and his first contribution was to concede a penalty. Ex Wroxham striker, Kai Fletcher placed the ball on the spot, but Coombe made a great save to prevent a heavier defeat.

A disappointing afternoon for Wroxham, exiting the FA Cup at the first hurdle and focus turns to next Saturday’s Isthmian League opener, away at Takeley.

Wroxham: Coombe, John (Fenn 88’), Crookes, King (Bell 64’), Hazell, Lewis, Taylor (Flack 64’), Money (Sparrow 88’), Hawkins, Johnson, Batch (Poll 82’)

Unused subs: Moore, Hopcroft