BROMSGROVE Sporting's bid for a money-spinning Emirates FA Cup run begins on Saturday at Belper Town in the first qualifying round (3pm).

Paul Smith's Sporting will fancy their chances in Derbyshire at a team who play one level below in the Northern Premier League East Division.

But Bromsgrove suffered a blank bank holiday in the Southern League Premier Division Central with Saturday's disappointing 3-0 defeat at Lowestoft Town followed by Monday's 2-1 home reverse to much-fancied Halesowen Town.

Despite loanee Charlie Wragg giving Sporting a 19th-minute lead by slotting Billy Shaw's pass home, Kieren Donnelly levelled within three minutes watched by a bumper crowd of 1,310.

Nat Kelly struck what turned out to be the winner in the 36th minute following a corner ahead of a goalless second period which left Halesowen fifth in the table after five games and Sporting 14th.

New signing Jamie Melbourne, who counts Stoke City, Alvechurch, Redditch United and Rugby Town among his former clubs, made his debut in defence for the Rouslers.

A Jake Reed double helped guide hosts Lowestoft to victory over Bromsgrove last weekend, writes Max Banner.

A fine Harvey Sayer free-kick 14 minutes in was followed by a brace from the talismanic Reed in front of 333 fans in Suffolk.

Flynn Clarke narrowly missed the target from around 20 yards out in the fourth minute before the opening goal.

But Sporting were left unhappy with the decision for the free-kick as referee Ben Bowles ruled Aaron Roberts to have committed a foul despite a vociferous claim that he won the ball.

Owen Murphy almost doubled the lead in the 18th minute but his strike was saved well by keeper Charlie Price.

The hosts would only have to wait two more minutes for their second though as Reed found the bottom corner from inside the area.

Sporting had half-chances in the first period with Jamie Meddows, Wragg and Kieran Cook all having efforts.

Price made a fine save from Clarke just before the interval.

Sporting substitute Harry Crook capped a jinking run with a drive well over the bar in the 63rd minute.

Wragg was denied by keeper Luke Holt after being played in by Sporting substitute Ryan Snape.

But the scoring was completed by Reed nine minutes from time with a well-taken effort.

Clarke almost added a fourth late on but his audacious effort from distance skimmed the crossbar before going out.