Brakes kill Blues in extra-time thriller; B'HAM SENIOR CUP.

Leamington.................... 3 Birmingham City............ 2 Alvechurch ..................... 2 Rugby Town ................... 1 LUKE CORBETT struck two minutes into injury time to earn Leamington a 3-2 triumph against Birmingham City.

Former Coventry faS vourite Luke Carsley was the only senior pro on show as Blues sent out their youth side at the New Windmill Ground but the Brakes twice lost the lead in a thrilling tie before clinching a third round slot.

An 800-plus crowd turned out for new manager Paul Holleran's first home match in charge and saw Mark Bellingham fire the non-League outfit in front in the 33rd minute with a fierce shot that Jack Butland could only palm into the net via a post.

Mitch Hancox blocked another Bellingham effort on the line and Birmingham equalised on 43 minutes when Omar Bogle crowned a sinuous 40-yard run with a shot that bounced awkwardly to skim past Chris Kieley.

Brakes eased ahead again on 58 minutes with a crisp finish by Chris Murphy but Butland denied Luke Corbett and Blues again pulled level when Irish midfielder Robin Shroot gave substitute Brice Ntambwe a clear sight of goal from 15 yards. With extra time looming Corbett sprinted through and stroked a cool shot wide of the exposed Butland.

n Rugby Town bowed out after a 2-1 defeat to Alvechuch.

Lee Colkin's men made the running on a skiddy Lye Meadow pitch and led in the seventh minute, Greg Smith collecting Allando Davis's cross to crack home.

Rugby pressed but they conceded in the 62nd and 67th minutes - Matt Gasper pouncing when Liam Nicell slipped as he tried to clear and Naveed Arshad producing an equally ruthless finish when a long ball skidded through the defence.

James McGhee almost saved Rugby with a shot against the post but Alvechurch stood firm in the final 15 minutes.

CAPTION(S):

ON TARGET... Luke Corbett grabbed an injury time winner for Leamington against Birmingham City.