THERE was more cup disappointment for Bromsgrove Sporting on Tuesday night as they exited the Midland Football League Cup after shipping five goals.
However, they left with their heads held high as Midland Football League Premier Division side Highgate United needed 120 minutes to see off the Rouslers.
Trailing 2-1 and with only seconds remaining, Ethan Hanks struck in the fifth minute of stoppage time to take the match into extra-time.
But his efforts were in vain as Nathan Edgington dispatched a penalty before Shane Benjamin netted to seal Highgate’s place in the next round.
Despite being in the division below, Bromsgrove, who were knocked out of the FA Vase on Saturday, dominated for long periods, but they fell behind on the 11th minute when Lei Brown headed in off the bar.
Sporting took just four minutes to find the equaliser, though, as Reece Hewitt played a one-two with Sam Wills to get behind the Highgate back four and with only Bradley Catlow between the sticks to beat curled his shot into the top right corner.
Josh Moreton made several fine stops to keep the scores level at half-time, but he was breathing a sign of relief just after the
interval. A 30-yard free-kick from James Cosgrove left Moreton beaten after it took a deflection, but fortunately it hit the upright and bounced back into his welcoming arms.
Sean Brain had a couple of chances for Sporting but it was Highgate who looked more threatening as the half wore on and they came within a whisker of scoring again. This time, Benjamin’s free-kick struck the underside of the bar that Moreton then pushed out for a corner.
However, the pressure finally paid off with five minutes left. Connor Mooney put a cross into the Sporting box which Brown tapped home from ten yards out.
This appeared to be the match-winner, but in dramatic style Sporting made it 2-2. Shortly after coming on, Hanks evaded the Highgate back four to slot home.
After denying the hosts victory in normal time, the Rouslers would have been hoping to kick on, but they suffered a set back when Dale Edwards brought down Benjamin in the box.
Edgington duly converted the penalty and four minutes later Moreton was picking the ball out of his net again as Benjamin fired in a fourth.
Highgate added another on the 119th minute, with Benjamin scoring his second, but Sporting had the final word as McKenzie netted in the dying seconds.
