ALSAGER Town were beaten in the FA Vase on Saturday after being three minutes from victory.

Alsager went down 4-2 at home to Newcastle Benfield after coming from behind to lead 2-1.

Newcastle took the match into extra-time with an equaliser on 87 minutes.

They scored again a minute before the end of the first period of extra time and a minute before the final whistle.

The visitors could have been two goals up in the opening six minutes.

The Alsager defence failed to clear on three minutes, and Bell's shot forced keeper McGing into a fine save.

Newcastle went close three minutes later when Scope's shot rattled the bar.

A shot 20 yards from Brotherton flew just past the post on 15 minutes, and Alsager lost centre half Elks through injury.

A free kick by Gregory was brilliantly saved by the Newcastle keeper, and Alsager lost another defender when Jones was involved in a clash of heads.

Newcastle took the lead two minutes before half-time when Espley put into his own goal.

Alsager equalised a minute into the second half when Brotherton played the ball in for Mitchell to score from close range.

They took the lead on 54 minutes when Brotherton hit a dipping volley over the keeper from 15 yards.

Blackhurst headed wide from five yards for Alsager, and Young made it 2-2 on 87 minutes.

Alsager travel to Stone Dominoes tonight for a 7.45pm kick off.