Leamington 4, Redditch United 2

GOALS from strike pair Jermaine Hylton and Ashley Sammons could not stop Redditch from bowing out of the Birmingham Senior Cup at the hands of the Conference North hosts.

But it could have been a difference story if the visitors had taken their chances in the opening stages of this second round clash.

Hylton gave them the perfect start, latching on to a threaded Sammons pass before netting at the second attempt after his first shot had been parried by keeper Liam Maher.

And he should have added a second four minutes later only for the Leamington keeper to save with his legs.

The Brakes levelled on 11 minutes, striker Danny Newton side-footing home a Lee Chilton right-wing cross, before the Reds twice went close to regaining the lead.

On 14 minutes Dior Angus forced a brilliant low save from Maher and the Leamington goal continued to lead a charmed life midway through the half when Simeon Maye’s header from a corner was blocked on the line before Angus’ rebound was also cleared from in front of goal.

Those misses proved costly when Matt Dodd fired the home side ahead from the penalty spot after he had gone down under Jordan Liburd’s challenge.

The goal-fest continued with a brace of free-kicks. First Sammons drilled his through the Leamington wall to haul the visitors level on 38 minutes only for Stephen Morley to curl a 25-yard effort just under the bar deep in injury time.

The second period, played in torrential rain, lacked the drama of the first until Newton brushed aside Redditch defender Jim Mutton and fired into the roof of the net to seal the game on 68 minutes.

United’s only chances of note after the break was an Angus drive that forced another good save from Maher and a Leavi Oshungbure effort that was deflected over the bar.

Reds: Hornby 6, Liburd 5, FLANAGAN 8, Spink 5 (Young 87), Mutton 7 (Caines 79), Scarr 6, Angus 6 (Oshungbure 79), Maye 6, Hylton 7, Sammons 6, Carline 7. Subs (not used): Jones, Bridgewater