WORCESTERSHIRE hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the FA County Youth Cup have been dashed.

They slipped to a disappointing 4-1 defeat to a strong and talented Middlesex side in the quarter-final at Kidderminster Harriers' Aggborough Stadium, although the margin of victory flattered the visitors.

Worcestershire got off to the worst possible start when the visitors took the lead inside 45 seconds.

The outstanding Warren McBean latched on to the ball 25 yards out and hit an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net.

The home county missed a golden chance to equalise within a minute when they were awarded a penalty but skipper Michael Miller saw his effort pushed away by 'keeper Paul Jennings.

Worcestershire's swift attacks caused the Middlesex defence all sorts of problems and on 14 minutes Steve Clewes burst into the penalty area and hit a low cross shot into the net wide of Jennings.

Against the run of play Middlesex regained the lead on 20 minutes. Worcestershire conceded a free kick on the edge of the penalty area and Callum Martin rose unchallenged to head Tommy Hedges' cross past 'keeper Niall Hacking.

Play was being stretched from end to end at a frantic pace. Wayne Orford and James Smith went close to an equaliser while at the other end it took a fine save from Hacking to deny Hedges after a long solo run.

Middlesex started the second half in determined fashion and began to dominate midfield. Much of Worcestershire's earlier fluency was blunted by a well drilled defence and some uncharacteristic misplaced passing.

With Worcestershire striving for an equaliser they were leaving themselves open to swift counter attacks from the visitors and from one of these Middlesex increased their lead with 15 minutes left. McBean saw two shots blocked before the ball fell to Martin to tap into the net.

The scoring was completed three minutes from time when another lightning break saw Joe Sparrowhawk crash the ball home off the underside of the bar.