UNITED HAVE A SPORTING CHANCE

DISAPPOINTED Bromsgrove Sporting boss Paul Smith admitted, “It felt like a defeat” after Sam Wills missed a penalty deep into the second half of extra-time to settle the tie.

The Rouslers and Coventry United will now battle it out again on Wednesday night for a place in the fourth round.

“We have dominated for 120 minutes and had chance upon chance,” Smith said. “We have made two big mistakes – one for their goal and two to miss a penalty.”

The Rouslers were on top from the outset and were unlucky not take to lead in the 13th minute when Jason Cowley’s acrobatic overhead kick flew just wide of the far post.

But 15 minutes later Sporting’s No.9 broke the deadlock, finishing off a fine flowing move. John Pykett’s low cross was smartly left by Sean Brain into the path of Cowley, whose initial shot was saved by Richard Morris, but he could make no mistake from the rebound.

United got themselves back into it eight minutes after half-time when Jack Jeys got on the end of a long ball upfield before poking beyond onrushing Sporting keeper Reece Francis. Although Sporting continued to press, the hosts could not find a way to beat Richard Morris in the United goal as the keeper made numerous fine saves to force extra-time. United’s job was made harder when substitute Rob Prinzel was sent off for a high challenge on Max Loveridge. And it looked as though Sporting would be going through when they were awarded a penalty in the 116th minute after Cowley was fouled in the area only for skipper Wills to send his shot wide of the mark. United manager Terry Anderson said: “We were under the cosh for large parts. It is great to have the game back at ours on Wednesday.”