ACCRINGTON Stanley bowed out of the FA Youth Cup after a 3-2 defeat to Coventry City - with East Lancashire's Morgan Crowther hitting a hat-trick for the Sky Blues.

Crowther, released by Rovers after four years at Ewood Park, put the visitors into a two goal lead before the break.

Joel Mills reduced the deficit for the Reds early in the second half only for Crowther to restore the two goal advantage late and complete his treble, before Niall Watson set up a frantic finish.

But Crowther, who is a boyhood Burnley fan, was the matchwinner for Coventry.

He opened the scoring in fortuitous fashion when a Stanley clearance hit him and deflected beyond Reds goalkeeper Nathan Wolland.

It was two midway through the first half when the 16-year-old forward reacting fastest inside the box to stab home.

Paul Lodge's Stanley were much improved after the break and were on the scoresheet within two minutes when Watson capitalised on a poor clearance and squared for Mills to score.

Watson then twice went close as the home side sought an equaliser but they were dealt a knockout blow when Crowther headed home his third 15 minutes from time to restore Coventry’s two-goal lead.

But Stanley weren't quite finished and Watson set up a frantic final five minutes when he found the net but there was to be no late drama as Coventry secured a spot in round three.