BROMSGROVE Sporting were edged out 3-2 by St Ives Town in a five-goal encounter at The UK Electrical Stadium.

Sporting's second Southern League Premier Division Central defeat in a row arrived ahead of two crunch games for Paul Smith's men.

They host Redditch United in the league on Tuesday this week before heading to Chelmsford City in the FA Cup third qualifying round on Saturday (3pm).

The Rouslers, who have been drawn to visit Northern Premier League side Chasetown in the FA Trophy third qualifying round on Saturday, October 5, twice went ahead last weekend through Harry Crook's first-half brace.

But both times the visitors levelled courtesy of Kobe Chong and Jordan Williams.

Sporting were lethargic in the second half and ultimately paid for it as substitute Amaru Kaunda scored the winner with nine minutes remaining.

Bromsgrove took a fourth-minute lead via Crook who struck home neatly into the net after being set up by Jamie Meddows.

The visitors equalised 20 minutes later as Chong buried the ball into the bottom corner from inside the area.

Sporting retook the advantage in the 32nd minute as good work from Walsall loanees Dylan Thomas, with the 17-year-old midfielder making his debut in a Sporting shirt, and Charlie Wragg allowed Crook to fire home with venomous accuracy.

That lead only lasted three minutes though as a fierce Edmund Hottor drive into the area was knocked in by centre-back Williams.

Crook almost bagged his hat-trick with eight minutes of the half remaining but his shot was kept out by keeper Daniel Wilks.

The second half was the complete opposite of the first with the game completely lacking in quality, especially from the home side.

The prolific Jonathan Edwards had a couple of attempts saved before the winner came in a contentious manner.

Sporting substitute Jack Newell was down with what appeared to be a head injury but the referee allowed play to continue and Kaunda slotted the ball in in front of 475 fans.

Sporting: Price, Palmer, White, King, Roberts, Forsyth, Thomas (Cook 60), Rowe, Crook (Snape 79), Wragg (Robinson 72), Meddows (Newell 72).

Meanwhile, Alvechurch lost 1-0 at home to Stamford in Southern League Premier Division Central with William Glennon scoring the winner on 75 minutes in front of 287 fans at Lye Meadow.

With both sides out of the FA Cup, Church entertain Stourbridge on Saturday in a West Midlands derby (3pm).