A LACK-LUSTRE Worcester City were beaten 1-0 by Redditch United in the Worcestershire Senior Cup quarter-final at St George’s Lane.

In a repeat of last season’s final, James Blake scored the decisive goal six minutes before half-time to send the holders through to the last four.

For Richard Dryden’s side it means they have now lost at the first hurdle in the season’s first three cup competitions — following on from their Setanta Shield and FA Cup exits — and only have the FA Trophy left.

City made three changes from the side which turned on the style against AFC Wimbledon with striker Avun Jephcott, a lively Matt Dodd and Troy Wood all handed starts as manager Dryden named a strong side for what will be his team’s only outing in a fortnight.

City started strongly and Jamie Price’s corner caused havoc in the box. Owen Story, easily the visitors’ best player and a constant threat with his pace, then drilled a sixth minute shot wide after being played in by Mark Rawle.

Within 60 seconds Craig Wilding had City’s best chance of the half, bringing a good block out of Danny Lewis from 12 yards.

Lewis provided a moment of hilarity when he totally missed his kick on the edge of the area but he was let off the hook by the assistant’s offside flag with Wilding ready to pounce.

Dodd, making his first start in a Worcester shirt since the end of August, got on the end of a hopeful Graham Ward pass but his heavy touch let him down and Lewis had time to gather.

Danny McDonnell, the busier keeper for the rest of the half, then got down low to hold on to Aman Verma’s drive but Redditch took the lead eight minutes later.

Story sprinted down the right and his deflected cross fell for Blake and he managed to direct it past an already committed McDonnell for the opening goal.

It could have been better for Gary Whild’s side before the break with Liam Murray sending a diving header wide from Danny Edwards’ free-kick and Verma bringing a good save out of McDonnell.

The City keeper rode his luck early in the second-half, conceding a corner after poor control from a back-pass before Redditch’s Murray saw the only yellow card of the game for clattering Dodd.

City substitute Gary Walker had claims for a penalty waved away in the 66th-minute when he was sent sprawling by Story as the hosts began to press.

Dave Bampton went within inches of an equaliser when his header from cleared off the line by Blake from Rob Davies’ corner but that was as close as City came.

As the clock ticked down, Verma blazed horribly over McDonnell’s goal and Wilding also volleyed over at the other end when he might have done better.

Worcester: McDonnell 6, Ward 7, Price 6, Richardson 7, Barnes 6, Bampton 8*, Dodd 7, Davies 7, Wilding 5, Jephcott 6, Wood (Walker 46) 7. Subs not used: Richards, Heeley, Fitzpatrick, Wright.

Redditch: Lewis, Clarke, Edwards, Ayres, Dickinson, Murray, Blake, Downes, Rawle, Story, Verma. Subs not used: Softley, Murphy, Bullimore, Ngold, Heggs.

Referee: John Law (Holt Heath).

Attendance: 298.