WORCESTER Raiders shrugged off a 30-minute delay to finish off Wednesday’s 2-1 cup win over Alcester Town and manager Karl Gormley insisted: “We were pretty comfortable throughout.”

Raiders reached the last eight of the Smedley Crooke Memorial Cup despite the completion of the tie being put in doubt when Alcester keeper Jack Bodfish suffered a suspected dislocated knee in the 88th minute.

The visiting stopper could not be moved until medical assistance arrived with the final two minutes plus added time resuming after 10pm in sub-zero temperatures.

It was a night to forget for Bodfish whose swipe at fresh air gifted Raiders a 40th-minute lead, allowing a routine backpass from Danny Janes to trickle in.

Star performer Anthony Smith blasted high into the net 12 minutes after half-time but Town, who have recently boosted their ranks with the likes of Reece Hewitt and Bromsgrove Sporting's Connor Deards on dual registration, got one back through Danny Carter’s composed finish just past the hour.

Deards spurned a sitter moments later but other than a penalty claim during the post-delay period, Alcester did nothing to warrant full-time murmurs from the away dugout about being "absolutely robbed" during a fractious affair of few openings.

“We all feel for the keeper, no one wants to see injuries like that and everyone at Worcester Raiders wishes him all the very best,” said Gormley.

“As soon as we saw their team sheet we knew it would be a tough test. We rested a few as well.

“It was not the best of performances but the lads worked hard and got through in the end so we have to be happy.

“The conditions were tough, so were the opponents and then we had the delay but we found a way to get the result.

“Even when they brought it back to 2-1 I felt we were comfortable and had enough on the bench to change it if needed.

“I thought we were pretty comfortable throughout to be honest.”

On the late penalty call, Gormley added: “It was difficult for us to see but having asked our lads, they were all certain it was not a penalty.

“We felt we should have had one in the first half when Anthony Smith went through. Sometimes you get them, sometimes you don’t.”

The victory teed up a quarter-final trip to Lye Town, a team that plies its trade two levels above Raiders in the same division as Worcester City.

“It will be great to go up against a decent side from above. We have the League Cup and this one but we have said all along, the league is our priority,” said Gormley.

Raiders: Norcott 6.5, Stoddart 7, Goddard 6.5 (Farnsworth, 67, 6.5), Carey 7, Podmore 7, P Smith 7.5, A SMITH 8*, Belmonte 7, Krol 7, Molloy 7.5 (Corbett, 63, 7), Andrews 6.5.

Unused subs: Marsh, Waldron, Gormley.