STUDLEY manager Kevin Rowlands has backed FA Cup villain Adam Blake after the midfielder was sent off in Saturday's clash with Oadby Town.

The Bees looked to be heading into the next round of the competition until Blake picked up his red card ten minutes from time. The closing stages saw the Leicestershire outfit power to victory with three late goals.

Rowlands admitted Blake's dismissal was the turning point but refused to criticise the midfielder.

"The sending off certainly changed the game - Adam was the best player on the field at the time," the Bees boss said.

"But there is no point shouting at players when they have been sent off. Adam is still young and still learning. He is going to pick up his fair share of yellow cards because he is that sort of battling player - it's just a shame he picked up two of them in the same game!

"You would not expect Fergie to hold Roy Keane back and that's the same with Blakey - he is that type of player."

Studley looked to be on track for a home tie with Stamford in Saturday's preliminary round of the FA Cup.

Blake had given his side a 70th minute lead from the penalty spot but a quick-fire treble in the final six minutes took Oadby through.

Ian Grey levelled the scores after Studley failed to clear a corner before Gary Moult struck from close range. The visitors completed their fightback when substitute Carl Bacon thundered home from 25-yards.

n Alvechurch also crashed out of the competition when they went down 1-0 at North West Counties side Norton United.

Church started strongly but fell away in the second half, Michael Machin bagging the game's only goal 15 minutes from time.

n Feckenham began their Midland Combination Premier Division campaign with a resounding 3-1 victory over Bolehall Swifts.

Matt Cook, Ryan Field and Kevin Leggett bagged the Millers' goals.