ALVECHURCH exited the FA Cup at the third round qualifying stage following a narrow 2-1 defeat against higher-division Chelmsford City.
A goal from Kieran Wakefield drew Church level just before the half-hour mark after former Football League striker Lyle Taylor put the visitors ahead at Lye Meadow.
And Taylor scored his second of the game in first-half injury time with Church unable to force a replay after the break.
Alvechurch play one level below Chelmsford who ply their trade in the National League South.
And the higher division side broke the deadlock on 21 minutes when Taylor nodded in at the back post after David Longe-King headed the ball across the face of goal.
Alvechurch equalised five minutes later as Wakefield headed in a corner from the right after he beat Chelmsford goalkeeper Chris Haigh to Jonathan Ngandu’s cross.
However, Chelmsford reclaimed the lead four minutes into injury time at the end of the first half when Taylor found the bottom left corner after good work from Harry Barbrook down the left.
Veteran striker Taylor showed his pedigree following spells with Sheffield United, Charlton Athletic, Nottingham Forest and Birmingham City earlier in his career.
Church pushed for an equaliser after the break as Haigh denied Callum Sullivan before Jessy Bavanganga somehow shot over from point-blank range.
However, Tim Flowers’ side could not find a leveller to bring an end to the club’s FA Cup run at the third round qualifying stage.
Alvechurch are next in action against Basford United in the FA Trophy on Saturday, October 4 with kick-off at 3pm at Greenwich Avenue.
