ALCESTER Town bowed out of the Birmingham Vase after losing 4-2 in a penalty shoot-out to West Midlands League Division One side Darlaston Town.

It proved an afternoon to forget for Alcester's Ben Pattison on his return to the side, he conceded a second half penalty to give Darlaston a 1-0 lead.

Five minutes later Pattison picked up a second yellow card for abusive language towards the assistant referee and was given his marching orders.

The decision didn't go down well with Alcester's player-manager Danny Janes who claimed: "I don't understand why players get themselves sent off for verbal reasons.

"I can accept a yellow card for a committed tackle or a tussle but not for opening your mouth too much. No player should get to that point.

"The referee was correct to send our player off and it made the game very difficult for us, but the players were superb in the response."

Despite being down to 10 men, Alcester levelled through Danny Mumford.

Although Darlaston regained the lead again, they were pegged back to 2-2 when substitute Robbie Davies cut inside, leaving two Darlaston defenders in his wake, before firing home from 20 yards out.

Boss Janes added: "I was really confident when the game went to penalties, but Darlaston took their's really well."

Alcester Town return to Midland League Division Three action this Saturday when they travel to Coventrians.