Redditch United's dismal FA Cup record continued as they exited this year's competition at the first hurdle, losing 3-1 at Kettering Town.

The Reds had opened the scoring through Exodus Geoghaghan's first half header only for the Blue Square Conference North leaders to hit back with a goal on the stroke of half-time and a second half double.

It was Kettering who created the better of the early chances and the Poppies could have taken a fifth minute lead when Jon Brady picked out John Dempster with his free-kick only for him to head wide from in front of goal.

Ten minutes later and Reds keeper Danny Lewis had to be quick off his line to deny Brady following a neat ball forward from Andy Hall.

After soaking up the early pressure when Geoghaghan and central defensive partner Simon Rea were outstanding, the visitors edged their way into the game and Howard Forinton should have done better on 18 minutes when he got on the end of a free-kick only to head wide of the target.

And when he sent another effort the wrong side of the upright, it looked like being another disappointing afternoon in front of goal.

But with ten minutes to go before half-time, United opened the scoring. James Johnson floated a free-kick into the area and Geoghaghan rose to head into the bottom left-hand corner of Kettering keeper Lee Harper's goal.

The Poppies were rocked but the visitors let them off the hook, content on seeing the half out without adding to the tally.

But with just seconds to go before the interval, David Bridges slotted in an equaliser from Tommy Jaszczun's centre.

Redditch never really recovered from conceding on the stroke of half-time and Kettering almost took the lead on the hour when Dempster's looping header hit the crossbar.

Dangerman JP Marna had been kept at bay by the Redditch defence but, on 65 minutes, he beat Geoghaghan only for the defender to haul him back for a free-kick on the edge of the area. Brady drilled the ball into the area and when the visitors failed to clear, Steve Burton forced his shot over the line.

United's cup hopes were over for another year on 82 minutes when substitute Craig Westcarr's shot from the left deflected off unfortunate Redditch defender Shane Healy to make it 3-1 to Kettering.

Danny Edwards made his return from injury in the closing stages and went close for the Reds but the full-time hosts were now in control and would have added a fourth through Westcarr had it not been for a quality save from Lewis in extra time.

Kettering: Harper 6, Dempster 6, Jaszczun 6 (Collins 84), Graham 7, Kemp 6, Solkhon 6, Brady 7 (Westcarr 75), Bridges 6 (Lloyd 79), Burton 7, Marna, HALL 8. Subs (not used): Rawle, Bissey.

Reds: Lewis 7, Healy 7, Taylor 8, Rea 7, GEOGHAGHAN 8, Softley 5 (Edwards 74), Murphy 6, Downes 6, Ball 5, Johnson 6 (Markman 70, 6), Forinton 7. Subs (not used): Hollis, Whitcombe, Anstiss.

Ref: Mr J Adcock (Nottingham ) 6