WORCESTER City suffered heartbreak at Aggborough as Josh Thompson struck in injury-time to send Southport into the FA Trophy second round with a 3-2 win.

In a pulsating contest, Daniel Nti opened the scoring inside the first two minutes before Louis Almond levelled with a penalty midway through the first half.

After Andy Wright put the National League side in front, Lee Hughes seemed to have sent the match into extra-time with a late penalty.

But, with two minutes left, Thompson headed home from close range to knock City out. The hosts could not have got off to a better start and quickly got off the mark.

Tristian Dunkley powered down the left before sending in a cross that Adam Blakeman failed to clear and Nti nudged it home.

Worcester looked like adding to their tally as they attacked at will with Nti, Dunkley and Ebby Nelson-Addy causing problems.

Dunkley looked dangerous going forward but the winger gifted Southport the equaliser on 24th minute when he brought down Almond with a clumsy challenge.

The striker picked himself up and fired the ball past Ethan Ross to level things up.

City had the chance to go ahead moments later when the ball fell to Hughes in the box but the experienced striker drove straight at keeper Max Crocombe.

Southport played with more confidence as the half wore on and had opportunities to take the lead.

The best came five minutes before the break when Wright beat Ross with a header but Hughes was on the line to clear the danger.

With momentum shifting the visitors’ way, the half-time break came at the right time for City as they came out re-energised and soon forced Crocombe into action.

He thwarted Nti, who rose highest to divert a cross goalwards, before getting behind Hughes’ powerful header.

Southport were on the back foot but took the lead on 65 minutes when Wright latched onto a cross and smashed it into the roof of the net.

Worcester responded well and came agonisingly close to equalising as Dunkley sent a 20-yard effort whistling wide.

Mike Phenix forced a save from Ross after a mistake by Tom Sharpe at the other end.

With five minutes left, Hughes’ cross was blocked by the hand of Paul Rutherford and referee David Rock pointed to the spot.

Hughes confidently dispatched the penalty but, just when the match appeared to be heading for extra-time, Southport struck.

Blakeman whipped in a dangerous free-kick, which was headed in by Thompson.

City (4-2-3-1): Ross 6; Minihan 7, Sharpe 7, Morris 6, Jackman 6 (Weir 60, 6); Nelson-Addy 8, Deeney 8; NTI 8, Dunkley 7 (Vincent 83), Gater 7 (Harrad 75); Hughes 7. Subs not used: Vaughan, Thomas.

Southport (4-3-3): Crocombe; Challenor, Thompson, Allen, Nolan; Wright, G Jones, Blakeman; Rutherford (Beesley 88), Almond (Joyce 60), Phenix. Subs not used: Viscosi, A Jones, Cameron.

Attendance: 452.