CRADLEY Town clawed themselves back in front against Bilston Town Community this week only to concede a late penalty after having leading marksman Geoff Hill sent off.

Scott Stevenson had fired Cradley in front after Hill's initial shot rebounded back off the post.

But Stevenson blotted his copybook when he gave away a penalty just before half time after bringing down Bilston's Roland Agbor allowing Ross Clarke to convert from the spot.

Cradley appeared to be facing an uphill battle when Hill was dismissed on 63 minutes.

But that didn't stop Cradley from regaining the lead three minutes later when Carl Whyte crashed home Aaron Weston's cross.

Bilston got back on level terms seven minutes from time with a disputed penalty which Agbor converted.

Unhappy Cradley boss Andy Wyton described the second penalty award as a shambolic decision and said.

"I have no complaints about their first penalty award as Scott Stevenson got the wrong side of their player.

"I could also accept Geoff Hill's sending off, because we all heard what he said.

"But the second penalty award was ridiculous, the player fell over himself and it was interesting that nobody appealed for the penalty either!

Wyton has now challenged his Cradley players to prove they can compete with the top West Midland League sides as they embark on a tough sequence of fixtures.

They travel to Ellesmere Rangers this Saturday having beaten them 6-1 late last year. That is followed by games against title contenders Wolves Sporting Community and Wolves Casuals.

Wyton added: "I see these games as an opportunity to see how far we've come."

Cradley have been handed an away trip to Willenhall Town in the next stage of the League Cup as their reward for beating Dudley Sports 3-2 in the previous round.