BROMSGROVE Sporting failed to end their derby curse against rivals Redditch United following a 1-0 defeat in the Worcestershire Senior Cup semi-finals.
A first-half goal from former Rouslers striker Aaron Bishop sent the Reds through to the final at Bromsgrove’s expense at the Valley Stadium.
Sporting have now failed to beat Redditch in any of the last nine meetings between the two clubs.
United went close early on as Matty Warburton delivered a low cross into the box from the right and Bishop blazed a shot over the bar from close range on the stretch.
However, the Reds broke the deadlock on 18 minutes when Bishop scrambled the ball home from close range after Bromsgrove failed to clear their lines following a corner from the left.
The home side remained on top as Loughlan curled a shot narrowly wide from 25-yards out after he cut in from the right.
Redditch also spurned a glorious chance to double their lead as Alex Cameron fired over from 10-yards out after Loughlan’s pass deflected kindly into his path.
Sporting responded with a chance at the other end when goalkeeper Rory Brown launched a kick up the pitch and Luke Benbow lifted a shot over onrushing Reds stopper Stan Amos and inches past the post.
Brown then kept the visitors in the contest as he also kept out Warburton’s free-kick from the left-hand edge of the penalty area.
Chances were at a premium in the second half as the Rouslers piled on the pressure but could not force a shootout.
Bromsgrove are next in action against Kettering Town on Saturday, March 7 with kick-off at 3pm at Latimer Park.
