Welshpool defeated by late Bluebirds Strike

A late Jonathan Brown free kick ended Welshpool's dreams of a place in the semi finals of the FAW Premier Cup at Maesydre last night. With little to choose between the sides, a youthful Cardiff outfit prevailed when Brown strode up in the 85th minute to plant his 20-yard free kick inside the left post.

It was tough on the mid-Wales hosts who had produced a plucky display against the Championship side, whose skipper Darren Purse was one of the few first-team players on show.

Welshpool almost salvaged the tie in the dying moments when Chris Venables saw his powerful volley superbly parried by ex-Barry Town 'keeper David Forde.

In fact, Pool had the ball in the net twice in the first half, with Steve Rogers nipping in to nod over keeper Forde on 36 minutes, while moments later defender John Keegan also found the net in a goalmouth scramble.

Both times Welshpool were denied by the linesman's flag. The Bluebirds now meet Newport County in the Semi-Final at Ninian Park.