AFC Coventry Rangers were beaten 4-3 on penalties by holders Tipton Town in the BCFA Saturday Vase – having scored an injury-time equaliser to take the game to spot kicks.
Fola Fagbemi’s goal deep into time added on sent the game to penalties after Ryan Piggott’s first-half strike put Tipton ahead.
And despite saving Tipton’s first penalty – Coventry missed two spot kicks of their own to eventually lose 4-3 in the shootout.
Rangers started well and should have taken the lead when George Swain was well-placed to score only to blaze his effort over the bar.
Tipton then took the lead from a set-piece when Coventry failed to clear their lines at a corner before Piggott finished from close range.
The away side came close to a leveller when Ryan Alexander sent Fagbemi through on goal only for his effort to beat the goalkeeper and be cleared off the line by a Tipton defender.
And Coventry would eventually find their equaliser deep into injury-time when Fagbemi’s scrappy finish found the net from Joe Gardener’s dangerous ball into the box.
That goal sent the game to penalties and despite Kev Kingham’s side practicing penalties in the build-up to the contest – Rangers were unable to triumph in the shootout.
Coventry goalkeeper Ross Davis saved Tipton’s first spot kick only for Rangers to miss twice themselves – including one from the impressive Phil Chesters – as the home side progressed 4-3 on penalties.
Rangers are next in action against AFC Solihull in a top of the table clash on Saturday, December 4 with kick-off at 2pm at the Coventry Technical Rugby Club.