LITTLETON crashed out of the Les James Challenge Cup with a 3-1 third round home defeat against Southam.

The Midland Combination Premier Divison rivals first met in August when Littleton achieved an equally comfortable 3-0 victory.

Since then, however, long-term injuries and player unavailability meant that only four from that encounter started at Pebworth Road last Saturday.

On a crisp afternoon, the low sun was always a problem and underfoot the ground was still very soft from the recent heavy rain.

Littleton took the lead in 27th minute following a penalty. Olly Manouchehri’s spot-kick cannoned back off the bar but Scott Walsh reacted quickest to turn the ball home from close range.

Southam began to apply pressure but it took them until 10 minutes into the second-half to equalise.

A powerful free-kick was pushed onto the post by keeper Dan Heywood but the rebound was slotted home.

The visitors continued to press hit the woodwork before moving ahead in the 71st minute. Following an excellent move, a long ball found Smith and he played it into the path of an oncoming forward whose chip beat Heywood.

With Littleton pressing for an equaliser, Southam wrapped up victory in the closing stages.