RUGBY Borough exited the Birmingham Senior Cup at the third round stage after losing 3-2 against a young Birmingham City side.
Borough surrendered an early lead after Thabang Dube’s deflected strike put Borough ahead at Stratford Town’s Arden Garages Stadium.
Blues turned the game on its head before the break as Brady Middleton’s header drew Rugby level in the second half only for Godfred Boakye to win the game for the home side.
Borough broke the deadlock against the run of play as Dube’s deflected shot squirmed past Blues goalkeeper William O’Sullivan.
Rugby goalkeeper John Meadows then made a crucial save to deny Frank Tattum at his near post.
However, Birmingham equalised just before the half-hour mark with Meadows only able to parry Zaid Betteka’s shot from distance into the path of Menzi Mazwi who finished from a tight angle.
Moments later, Meadows superbly stretched to keep out Romelle Donovan’s shot from 15-yards out.
Blues completed the turnaround when Tattum blasted a shot past Meadows via the underside of the crossbar to leave Borough behind at the break.
However, Rugby drew level in the second half as Middleton planted a header into the top left corner of the goal.
Meadows denied Donovan again later in the half but could only spill another Donovan shot as Boakye pounced to smash home the loose ball and put Blues back in front.
Borough searched for an equaliser and saw a header cleared off the line late on with the visitors unable to find a leveller.
Rugby are next in action against Yaxley on Saturday, January 18 with kick-off at 3pm at APG Park.
