FA Cup wrap: Birmingham, Brighton progress

Wolverhampton Wanderers exited the FA Cup with a 1-0 defeat at home to Birmingham on Wednesday, while Brighton squeezed past Wrexham.

The third-round replay at Molineux was little improvement on a dour 0-0 draw at St Andrews on January 7, with chances at a premium as both English Premier League side Wolves and their second-tier visitors lacked a cutting edge.

Wade Elliott made the decisive breakthrough with 16 minutes remaining in the match, as Championship club Birmingham extended Wolves’ miserable run of nine matches in all competitions without a win.

Midfielder Elliott poked the ball home in the midst of a goalmouth scramble after Jordan Mutch’s corner caused havoc in the home side’s defence.

Chris Hughton’s Birmingham will now travel to League One high-flyers Sheffield United in the fourth round on January 29.

Also on Wednesday, Championship club Brighton survived a scare with a 5-4 penalty shootout victory over Conference team Wrexham.

The two teams played out a 1-1 draw in their first meeting at the Amex Stadium on January 7.

Wrexham took the lead through Andrew Morrell’s superb effort from the edge of the area 22 minutes into the replay at the Racecourse Ground.

With the hosts still leading and less than 15 minutes remaining, an upset looked to be on the cards.

But Ashley Barnes levelled for the visitors on 77 minutes.

Extra-time failed to settle the contest, before Brighton then netted all five of their penalties in the shootout, while Dean Keates was the unfortunate man to miss for Welsh club Wrexham.

Brighton progress to face Premier League club Newcastle United at home in the fourth round, also on January 29.