JAANAI Gordon scored and then saw red as 10-man Alvechurch battled to a 1-0 away win at Anstey Nomads in the FA Trophy.
Gordon scored the game’s only goal from the penalty spot on 43 minutes only to receive his marching orders following a clash between the two sets of players in first-half injury time at Cropston Road.
However, despite playing with 10-men fore the entirety of the second half, Alvechurch held on to book their place in the first round proper at the expense of the Northern Premier League Midlands side.
And Alvechurch’s reward is a home tie against divisional rivals Coalville Town in the next round with the game to take place on Saturday, October 28 at Lye Meadow.
After securing a first away win of the season, Church boss James Fry hopes his side can improve their consistency over the course of the current campaign.
Fry said: “I’m disappointed with what happened just before half time, I haven’t seen it so I can’t comment on it, I wasn’t watching what was going on.
“In the second half, the lads, to a man, were absolutely outstanding, we still wanted to be a threat and we were, Brad [Foster] had one really good save to make at the very end but we had the better chances.
“We’re talking about having to dig in and fight for every ball, once we get a foothold then we can show everyone how good we are.
“To win away from the home in the manner we have done shows what this football club and the group is about, we have to enjoy these moments.
“The next thing for this group is not to do it in fits and spurts, we have to do it over a consistent period of time because that’s what the best teams do.”
Church took the lead just before the break after Ben Cassidy drew a foul in the box and Gordon fired the resulting spot kick into the bottom right corner of the goal.
However, Gordon then saw red minutes later after a melee broke out in the middle of the pitch and the officials opted to send the Church striker from the field of play following a lengthy discussion.
Church’s debutant goalkeeper Brad Foster made a superb reaction save at the start of injury time to keep the visitors in front before Jack Hallahan’s brave block secured the away side’s place in the next round.
Alvechurch are next in action away at Stamford on Saturday, October 14 with kick-off at 3pm at the Zeeco Stadium.
