FOOTBALL: ‘ISTANBUL’ was almost recreated on Wednesday night at the Butts Park Arena as Coventry United crashed out of the FA Vase in heartbreaking fashion.
Terry Anderson’s men trailed Bromsgrove Sporting 3-0 at half-time in a dramatic FA Vase third round replay.
But Lewis Rankin pulled a goal back for United on 79minutes when his free-kick from far out evaded everyone in the box to find the back of Sporting’s net.
Hopes of progressing to the fourth round increased in the Butts Park Arena’s main stand as a Daniel Morris own-goal in the first minute of stoppage time meant United had four minutes left to grab a dramatic equaliser.
And it came with the last kick of the 90minutes when a corner was met by Gift Mussa in a desperate goal-line scramble, forcing the game to extra time.
United were unlucky not to take the lead minutes into extra time when Aaron Opoku slammed his close range effort against the post.
A stalemate second half of extra time forced the game to penalties.
The first three rounds were all converted before Jeys and Jones had efforts saved.
Rankin blazed wide and then John Pykett hit the post with what would have been the winning penalty.
Francis then saved expertly from Opoku, leaving Loveridge the hero as he scored the winner with a low drive into the right-hand corner.
