1874 Northwich are out of the Midland League Cup.

They were defeated 3-2 at home by Uttoxeter Town in the third round on Tuesday night.

It was a heartbreaking exit, conceding the visitors’ winner in the fourth minute of added time.

Eden Bailey’s two goals proved not to be enough for Greens, who twice fought back from going behind.

It was a first defeat in eight games for Chris Herbert’s side, who are fourth in the Midland League Premier Division ahead of Saturday’s trip to Dudley Town.

Uttoxeter, 11 places behind on the table and only three points clear of bottom team Wolverhampton Casuals, had only won one of their six games since knocking Northwich Victoria out of the same competition 2-0 in the previous round.

They took the lead in the fifth minute at Townfield, Lewis Dawson slotting home from Marques Trowers’ cross.

1874, whose only change in the starting line-up from Saturday’s 3-2 win against Tividale was Luis Davin in place of Chris McCann, equalised two minutes later when Bailey collected a great pass and nutmegged goalkeeper Xander Parke.

It stayed 1-1 until the 67th minute when a miscue at the back by 1874 allowed Dawson to pounce for his second strike.

Again Herbert’s men bounced back, when Bailey reacted quickly to fire home after Matty Fenton won a header from a free-kick in the 72nd minute.

But football can be a cruel game at times and when Ben Price turned home a scrambled effort from a last-minute corner there was nothing 1874 could do to rescue the game.

1874 must now focus on maintaining their chase of the leaders in league action ahead of returning to knockout action in the Cheshire Senior Cup at home to Cheadle Town on January 14.