Moors bowed out of the FA Cup in the Fourth Qualifying Round following a 3-1 away defeat to fellow National League North side Harborough Town at The Beehive.
The hosts opened the scoring through Dempsey Arlott-John after he capitalised on a loose ball inside the area, before a thunderbolt from Fin Holcroft levelled things up with 20 minutes to play. However, a close-range strike from Britt Asombalonga, followed up by a wonder-goal from Eliot Putman, sealed defeat for Moors.
It took just seven first-half minutes for Harborough to find the opener. A ball into the area from the left couldn’t be cleared by Dan Jones, which allowed Arlott-John the time to collect the ball and fire a low effort into the bottom left corner past Matt Urwin.
Urwin did well to keep the score at one-nil, as he got down to his right to deny a close range effort from Michael Jacobs at his near post on the 16 minute mark.
Putman saw a duo of chances go begging in quick succession, first through an ambitious effort from distance, which flew well over the bar. The number three went on to rise highest inside the area to navigate a header goalwards, only to have it blocked by a Moors defender.
The hosts continued to apply pressure as the half progressed. Josh Walsh took aim on the half hour mark, only to see his volley drag wide of the mark, before Riley O’Sulivan’s effort met the same fate having been played through on goal just moments before.
Moors’ first real chance of the game came through Danny Johnson, who found space in the area to hit a powerful shot on goal. His effort, though, flew just over the crossbar.
Peter Hartley’s side continued to push for an equaliser as the first 45 came to a close, this time through Glen Taylor. The number nine found space to smash an effort goalwards from the edge of the penalty area, which looked destined to find the net, only to see his strike palmed away by Elliott Taylor in the Bees’ net.
A smart counter almost saw the hosts double their lead with just seconds of the opening period remaining, though Devon Kelly-Evans’ strike was smothered by Urwin, who did well to get across his area and put pressure on the forward.
Both shotstoppers were called into action earl yin the second half, as Urwin had to get down well to his right to deny O’Sullivan’s low strike from distance, before Taylor somehow managed to tip Frankie Whelan’s flciked header over the bar.
Moors finally found their levelled just shy of the 70th minute mark. Good work on the left hand side saw the ball find Holcroft on the edge of the area, where he rifled an outrageous effort right into the top corner of the net, leaving Taylor no chance.
Despite Moors’ equaliser, it was Harborough who looked likely to score the next goal. A good move from the hosts saw the ball break for O’Sullivan inside the area. He took aim, but was again denied by Urwin.
It took Mitch Austin’s side just six minutes to regain the lead, as substitute, Assomnbalonga got himself on the scoresheet. A low ball across the face of goal from Bees Captain Alex Morris, found the number 27 unmarked, where he smashed home from close range.
A third came for the hosts soon after, as Pulman found the net in spectacular fashion. A looped ball into the area fell just right for the number three, who took it on the volley and powered home into the top right corner of the net.
it could’ve been four deep into stoppage time, as Callum Powell fired an effort on goal. His shot, though, fell just wide of the right post.
Full time: Harborough Town 3 Moors 1
Moors: Urwin, Whelan, Pollock, Jones, Holcroft, Cantrill (Palmer 65), Dolan (Pani 46), Young, Jenkins, Johnson (Moore 65), Taylor
Subs not used: James, Beals, Murray, Miller
Booked: Holcroft 4, Hartley 6
Referee: Greg Rollason
Attendance: 975 (83 Away)
Written by Noah Betts