KIDDERMINSTER Harriers were made to pay for missed chances and sloppy defending as they exited the FA Trophy second round at Stockport County with a 3-0 defeat at Edgeley Park.

Their Vanarama National League North play-off rivals booked a trip to Maidenhead United at the next stage as Harriers suffered their first defeat in 15 games in all competitions.

With John Eustace’s side having sold academy-produced defender Tyrone Williams for an undisclosed fee to higher-ranked Solihull Moors, they could only name four substitutes in Greater Manchester including two untried youngsters.

Midfielders James McQuilkin and Elton Ngwatala were out with injury and illness respectively while left-back Joel Taylor was still unwell.

Midfielder Declan Weeks returned from injury as Harriers had the bigger share of first-half chances with Dan Bradley, Andre Brown, Liam Truslove and Mani Sonupe going close.

But Stockport were more clinical and led on 25 minutes when danger man Jason Oswell teed up Rhys Turner who turned a good finish past keeper Brandon Hall.

Harriers had further opportunities in the second half with James Pearson, Sam Austin and Sonupe unable to put the visitors on the scoresheet.

Stockport’s second goal on 74 minutes had a frustrating inevitability about it as a deflected, close-range shot from Ben McKenna beat Hall.

The misery of the night was compounded when in the final minute Pearson brought down Darren Stephenson inside the area for a penalty that Bohan Dixon converted.

But Eustace said: “I was really proud of the lads’ efforts.

“Some of the football we played was fantastic and I was just really disappointed with our quality in the final third because we created a number of chances and didn’t take them.

“The defending for all three goals was poor as well so there’s loads of positive stuff to take out of the game but lots of stuff to work on as well.

“We played well but defended poorly and we’re disappointed but it’s a chance to put it right on Saturday now (in the league at Curzon Ashton).”

Meanwhile, the versatile Williams begins life with former Harriers manager Mark Yates at Solihull after making over 70 appearances in four years as a professional at Kidderminster.

Harriers: Hall, Pearson, Austin, Croasdale, Horsfall, O’Connor, Sonupe, Weeks (Ironside 61), Brown (Smith 90), Truslove, Bradley (Vaughan 74). Unused sub: Stratford.

Attendance: 883.

Meanwhile, Bromsgrove Sporting went out of the Birmingham FA Senior Cup second round 4-2 on penalties to Nuneaton Town after drawing 1-1.

Craig Jones equalised in injury-time at the Victoria Ground after Kairo Mitchell fired Nuneaton ahead moments earlier.