WORCESTER City suffered an agonising penalty shootout defeat against rivals Alvechurch to exit the FA Trophy at the first round stage.
Church debutant Quevin Castro scored the winning penalty at Lye Meadow as both Felix Miles and Dan Sweeney saw their efforts saved.
Castro netted the decisive spot kick after the teams played out a goalless draw in regulation time.
The two teams traded chances in the first half as Nathan Hayward sent a header narrowly over the crossbar for the visitors.
And loanee Harley Hamilton almost put the home side ahead at the other end when he placed a shot inches past the post.
Goalkeeper Redman Evans then denied former Alvechurch striker Sweeney when one-on-one.
And Evans made a brave block after the break to deny Zac Guinan from close range.
Church almost snatched victory at the death when substitute Castro forced Harley Price into a fine save at the cup tie went to penalties.
Alvechurch made the perfect start in the shootout as Evans denied Miles from the spot before Tope Obadeyi scored.
However, Kobe Chong levelled for City before Price saved Frank Tattum’s effort to restore parity in the shootout.
Both teams scored their next two penalties before Evans sprung low to his right to deny Sweeney to leave Church one kick from victory.
And Castro duly stepped up to send the home side into the next round and dump City out of the competition.
Worcester are next in action against AFC Sudbury on Saturday, November 1 with kick-off at 3pm at Brundon Lane.
