ALVECHURCH conceded two late goals to suffer a dramatic 2-1 derby defeat against local rivals Bromsgrove Sporting.
Sporting striker Kobe Hall struck three minutes into injury time at Lye Meadow after Luke Benbow drew Sporting level on 87 minutes.
Church had taken an early lead courtesy of Nile Timson’s header only for Sporting to stage a late turnaround.
The result saw Sporting claim their first win of the new Southern League Premier Central campaign with Church yet to taste victory this season.
Sporting stopper Adam Harrison made a crucial save early on as he kept out Elliot Dugan’s close-range effort in the first few minutes.
However, Church broke the deadlock on seven minutes when Timson saw his back-post header deflect over the line.
The home side continued to test Harrison in the Sporting goal as Dugan, Kyle Storer and Jonathan Ngandu all saw efforts saved.
And Church went close again moments before the break as Ethan Sephton fired a shot narrowly over the crossbar from distance.
Tim Flowers’ side remained on top as Callum Sullivan drilled a shot against the post early in the second half.
And Harrison then tipped Jessy Bavanganga’s piledriver from distance behind for a corner.
Sporting’s first chance of note came after the hour mark as Church stopper Redman Evans denied Benbow.
Alvechurch came within inches of doubling their lead when Ngandu’s shot hit the inside of the post before Sporting cleared the loose ball to safety.
Church substitute Shay Willock then headed Josh Dugmore’s deep cross from the right over the bar from close range at the back post.
Alvechurch’s failure to put the game to bed came back to haunt the hosts as Benbow pounced to equalise for Sporting on 87 minutes after Redman superbly kept out Hall’s initial header.
And the visitors stunned Alvechurch deep into injury time as Hall collected the ball just outside the penalty area and fired a low effort into the bottom right corner.
