STERN words from Alvechurch boss Shaun Cunnington at the break prompted a second half fightback that saw them into the next round of the FA Vase.

The Midland Alliance side were sent reeling by visitors Brocton before recovering to scramble to a 4-3 victory over the Midland Combination side.

Church trailed 2-0 at the interval before three goals in six minutes early in the second half swung the game in their favour.

"There was something of a debate at half-time," Cunnington explained. "Players have to realise that I'm not asking them to do something they cannot do.

"I want Alvechurch Football Club to be successful and I'll do what I need to do for that to happen. I don't like losing and I need to instill that in the players from time to time.

"The reaction from the players in the second half was fantastic, we played some excellent football."

Keith Rostill bagged a second half double for the resurgent Church with Jamie McWilliams and Ravi Sangha also on target to set up a trip to North West Counties side Newcastle Town in the first round proper.

"Brocton gave 100 per cent in the first half but they were never going to keep that pace up for the entire 90 minutes," Cunnington added. "But they still had chances to equalise so, defensively, I'm not very happy."

Alvechurch were due to take on Banbury United in the Birmingham Senior Cup last night before welcoming Shifnal Town to Lye Meadow for a league match on Saturday.

KEEPER Nigel Watson made a last minute dash across the Midlands to answer Studley's distress call at the weekend.

The Bees had found themselves without a keeper on the morning of Saturday's FA Vase clash at Staveley Miners Welfare.

Assistant manager Glen Adams had tried to contact the veteran keeper but he only picked up the message in the afternoon, less than three hours before kick-off.

"Nigel showed what a star he is, driving from his home up to Chesterfield to help us out," manager Lee Adams explained. "He did everything that was asked of him and was a true professional."

Studley booked their place in the first round of the competition after an early Craig Pountney goal secured a 1-0 win over the Northern Counties East side.

And Adams was able to take a look at his side's next opponents after Central Midland Supreme side Heanor Town saw off Brierley Hill and Withymoor on Sunday.

"We will have to play better than we did on Saturday if we are to beat them," he added.

Studley were due to play Stratford Town at the Beehive last night in a Midland Alliance match. On Saturday they are in league action again at Oldbury United.