A CONTROVERSIAL early red card proved costly as Racing Club Warwick suffered a 4-1 defeat against rivals Rugby Town in the FA Trophy.
Warwick defender Archie Hamp saw red after just 16 minutes in the first round qualifying tie at Butlin Road.
Hamp was shown a straight red card following an aerial collision with Rugby’s Ethan Hanson.
Despite playing with 10-men, the Racers took the lead just past the half-hour mark courtesy of James Hancocks.
However, Rugby drew level soon after and scored three further goals in the second half, including two from the penalty spot, to condemn the Racers to defeat.
The game exploded into life on 16 minutes when Hamp caught Hanson in the air as the two players challenged for an aerial ball.
Despite Hanson showing little reaction to the challenge the referee brandished a straight red card in the direction of Hamp.
However, Warwick stunned the home side on 31 minutes when Kyle Barnett floated a free-kick into the box from just inside his own half.
Hancocks somehow managed to loop a header over Valley goalkeeper Marcus Bald and into the net from the left-hand side of the penalty area.
Rugby equalised two minutes later as Sam Tye forced the ball home from close range after the Racers failed to deal with a corner from the right.
And Valley completed the turnaround on 59 minutes when Caine Elliott scored from the penalty spot after Adam Miles fouled Rivel Mardenborough in the box.
The home side stretched their lead on 66 minutes as Stan Anaebonam finished through the legs of Warwick goalkeeper Sam Lomax.
And Elliott completed the scoring seven minutes later with a second strike from the spot after the referee deemed Lomax to foul Cairo Taylor as the two players challenged for the ball.
Racing Club Warwick host Evesham United in the FA Cup on Saturday, September 13 with kick-off at 3pm at Townsend Meadow.
