The Glassboys lost their grip on the Birmingham Senior Cup trophy after being deservedly beaten at home in the semi-finals by Nuneaton Borough, despite the visitors being down to ten men for the last twenty-two minutes after Jordan Lussey received a straight red for dissent towards the referee.

It was a limp display from Gary Hackett’s men who again looked toothless in attack for the most part without the presence of Luke Benbow in the side, whilst the visitors belied their lowly position in the National League North with a strong showing and a good work ethic.

Stourbridge showed four changes from the side that had overcome Leiston nine days earlier. Niall Maher took over between the sticks for James Wren again, while Aris Christophorou replaced the injured Darryl Westlake at right-back and Aaron Hayden came in at centre-half for Stuart Pierpoint with Kaiman Anderson leading the line with Benbow ruled out. Jake Evans was included amongst the substitutes following the expiry of his loan spell with AFC Wulfrunians.

There was a low-key start to the game as both teams took a while to settle and get used to the windy conditions. It was scrappy in the early stages but Nuneaton were first to threaten after 11 minutes with a dangerous counter attack down the right through Michael Calveley, however his cross was cut out by Paul McCone to prevent the ball reaching an unmarked Taylor Allen bursting forward behind him.

Stourbridge produced their first move of note with 19 minutes played as George Forsyth played the ball into the feet of Brad Birch and his low cross from the right was deflected out for a corner by the stretching Michael Townsend as Anderson closed in behind him.

A minute later Birch saw a first-time effort run wide of Cameron Belford’s right-hand post after the ball had bounced into his path.

In the 24th minute Nuneaton went close to opening the scoring when a Lussey corner from the left drifted across the six-yard box and Luis Morrison turned the ball against the post before it was deflected away for another corner.

The latter part of the opening half was then bossed by the National League North strugglers. In the 33rd minute Allen picked the ball up from the deep and drove through the left channel area before lofting his shot over the bar and then two minutes later the home side were grateful for an outstanding double save from Maher to keep the cup-tie goal-less. Some more enterprising build-up play from Borough saw a dummy that allowed the ball to run through for Allen who had his shot blocked well by the onrushing keeper and Maher recovered his position smartly to also keep out the follow up shot from Lussey.

With 42 minutes gone a long diagonal pass picked out Curtis Obeng on the right and he cut inside before curling a low shot against the far post, but a minute later Nuneaton were awarded a penalty when Hayden was adjudged to have bundled over Calveley inside the box as they both went up for a ball. Maher again came up trumps though as he went the right way to save the low spot-kick from Edmunds.

However, a minute before the interval Nuneaton’s persistence paid off as they grabbed the lead with Calveley tapping home a rebound after Maher had parried a shot from Lussey.

Half-time – Stourbridge 0 Nuneaton Borough 1

Five minutes into the second period Josh Lundstram kept possession well before weaving his way into the area but he couldn’t direct his shot on target.

Stourbridge made their first change of the night after 64 minutes with Nehemia Zazi thrown on for his debut in place of Aris Christophorou as the hosts went to three at the back with Zazi providing Anderson with some much needed support up-front.

Four minutes later Borough were reduced to ten men when Lussey felt he had been fouled but play continued for a time before being halted in order for the referee to go back to Lussey who was still on the ground. As the Borough player slowly got back to his feet, he spoke out of turn to the official who swiftly showed him a red card for the comment directed towards him.

With a man advantage Stourbridge had a genuine opportunity to get themselves back in the game, but Allen threatened again for the Warwickshire club soon afterwards as he attacked the left-hand side of the box, however he could not keep his shot down.

The Glassboys finally tested Belford after 76 minutes as Mills drilled in a thumping shot from the left channel that drew a good parried save from the Nuneaton keeper at the expense of a corner.

Nuneaton replied three minutes later with Maher called into action once more to make a parried save from Allen who had turned his marker before getting his shot away.

Stourbridge made two substitutions in quick succession as they threw on fresh legs with Jake Evans taking the place of Forsyth after 77 minutes and Myles Hall coming on for Birch to become the second Stourbridge debutant of the night.

With seven minutes remaining though Borough doubled their lead. Calveley was fouled to win a free-kick which was taken by James Baxendale. He found Ryan Edmunds twenty yards from goal who controlled the ball before striking a crisp low shot past Maher into the bottom corner.

Stourbridge finally managed to apply some pressure in the closing stages as Nuneaton tried to sit on their two-goal cushion. In the 86th minute Powell fed Mills on the left-hand side of the box and his effort hit the post, but shortly afterwards the Glassboys did get a goal back as a deep left-wing corner from Mills was met by Hayden and although his header was parried by Belford, Anderson was able to convert the rebound.

Nuneaton survived a goalmouth scramble in stoppage time as Stourbridge desperately searched for the equalising goal that would have sent the tie to penalties, but Jimmy Ginnelly’s men held firm to hold out for a win that few would begrudge them on the balance of play.

Stourbridge – Maher, Christophorou, Brown, McCone, Hayden, Forde, Powell, Birch, Anderson, Forsyth, Mills

Subs – Zazi (for Christophorou 64 mins), Evans (for Forsyth 77 mins), Hall (for Birch 81 mins), Broadhurst, Pierpoint (not used)

Booked – Mills, Brown, McCone

Att – 413