Worcestershire suffered a heartbreaking 3-2 extra time defeat in the third round of the FA County Youth Cup after a pulsating match with the powerful Lancashire side at Aggborough.

Worcestershire took a 13th minute lead when wing back Darren Henry's shot was deflected by a defender past goalkeeper Ian Lowe.

Stung by this reversal, Lancashire came back strongly prompted by David Hickey and they equalised on the half-hour when centre forward Matt Aspinall headed home Hickey's cross. Two minutes later Hickey turned the ball into the net at the far post after being left unmarked.

On the stroke of half-time the home county were denied when Tom Willmore struck a powerful shot from just inside the penalty area which goalkeeper Lowe could only push up into the air with the ball dropping into the net. But the assistant referee flagged for an offside decision which left everyone completely mystified.

The controversial decision served to spur the homesters at the start of the second half and after sustained pressure, four minutes from time Luke Corbett's shot was blocked on the line and the rebound was forced home by substitute Tom Cromwell.

Extra time proved to be a tale of two penalties. In the 104th minute Worcestershire were awarded a penalty when substitute John Hill was tripped, but Lowe dived the right way and turned Corbett's penalty kick around the post.

Five minutes later it was Lancashire's turn to be awarded a controversial spot-kick when skipper John Bluck appeared to stumble with no contact being made by an opponent and Gary Prosser sent home goalkeeper Barry McLean the wrong way to score what proved to be the winner.