DROITWICH Spa suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat against Racing Club Warwick in the club’s first-ever game in the FA Cup.
Spa pushed their higher division opponents all the way on their FA Cup debut as Alex Dugmore headed in the club’s first goal in the famous competition.
However, the Racers struck twice after the break to prevent an upset at Townsend Meadow in the extra preliminary round tie.
Warwick play one level above Spa in the Northern Premier League Midlands division.
The Saltmen were playing in the FA Cup for the first time in the club’s 40-year history.
The Racers went close early on when the ball fortuitously deflected into the path of Tyrell Skeen-Hamilton who saw his low effort saved by the foot of Dom Rogerson.
And Spa then stunned the hosts on 16 minutes when Nathan Binner delivered a free-kick to the back post and Dugmore’s header somehow found its way into the net through the legs of Warwick goalkeeper Sam Lomax.
However, Lomax atoned for his error later in the half as he tipped James Lemon’s flicked header away from goal before the Racers scrambled the ball to safety as Spa went into the break with a one-goal lead.
The Racers equalised on 52 minutes when Aaron Opoku lashed a shot into the bottom left corner from Richard Batchelor’s knockdown after Spa failed to deal with a high ball into the box.
Spa looked to reclaim the lead when Lemon won the ball high up the pitch only for Cory Rudd to shoot wide from 20-yards out.
And Charlie Tilley then saw his powerful effort from just inside the penalty area blocked as Andy Crowther’s side continued to threaten.
The hosts almost completed the turnaround later in the half when Rohan Levy could only clear the ball into the path of substitute Callum Coyle who saw his first time shot crash against the woodwork.
Spa stopper Rogerson then made a brave save at close quarters to keep out Archie Hamp’s powerful effort at the back post.
And Rogerson came to Spa’s rescue again soon after as he tipped Skeen-Hamilton’s toe poke behind after the Warwick striker burst into the penalty area.
Warwick eventually took the lead on 78 minutes when Opoku forced the ball over the line from virtually on the goalline after Batchelor’s initial header at a corner was deflected onto the crossbar.
The Racers saw a third goal ruled out for offside with Droitwich unable to carve out another chance as the club’s maiden FA Cup campaign ended at the first hurdle.
Droitwich are next in action against Westfields on Tuesday, August 5 with kick-off at 7.45pm at the King George Playing Fields.
