Tamworth 3 Stafford Rangers 2

With a relegation battle to worry about in the Blue Square Premier, a much-changed Stafford Rangers suffered an early Staffordshire Senior Cup exit at rain-lashed Tamworth.

Stafford twice took the lead in the first half through Ross Draper in the 18th minute and then Tom Youngs just after the half-hour mark.

However, Tamworth eventually bagged an 80th minute winner.

With a starting line-up showing 10 changes and two players making their debut, Rangers took a deserved lead.

Steve Hopkinson delivered a free-kick into the area from the right which Draper headed home.

Tamworth levelled in the 25th minute through Michael Tuohy only for Youngs to put Rangers back in front eight minutes later.

He latched on to a throughball from Jemiah Richards and slotted home from eight yards as keeper Leigh Walker came off his line.

Stafford were victims of a few aggressive challenges, fuelled by the referee failing to stamp his authority, and one that actually went unpunished just before the interval put Seb Hamilton out of the game.

Luke Edwards finished off a well-worked move in the 62nd minute to level things up.

Walker pulled off a fine save to beat away a well-struck shot from Kevin Street before Tamworth scored the late winner, Nurse blasting the ball past Alcock from eight yards after Burtoft's corner landed invitingly inside the area.

Tamworth: Walker; Tuohy, Bains, Boothe, Donaghey; Burtoft, Mills (Seal, 46), Nurse, Waldrum (Ebdon, 56); Sheridan, Edwards. Unused subs: Chambers, Holmes Stafford

Rangers: Alcock; Ingram, Richards, Draper (Smith, 54), Evans; Hamilton (Hathaway, 45), Street (capt), Hopkinson (Haywood, 49), Arnolin; Youngs, Robinson. Unused subs: Doody, Philips.

Attendance: 163.