Lancaster City lost their FA Trophy third qualifying round tie on Saturday.

It was a dismal Saturday on the road for Lancaster City as they suffered a 5-1 defeat to NPL Premier leaders Cleethorpes Town in the third qualifying round of the FA Trophy, writes DAVID HALL.

Both teams began in rapid fashion, with the Dolly Blues’ new signing Sidi Sango Fofana seeing an effort from the edge of the box saved by Ollie Battersby on two minutes.

Liam Ravenhill responded for the hosts three minutes later before the Dollies opened the scoring on 10 minutes.

Fofana broke up the Owls’ play in the middle before James Nolan and Charlie Bailey combined, the latter driving into the box and finding Nic Evangelinos for his first goal of the season.

It did not take long for the hosts to get the equaliser, however, as they levelled in the 14th minute.

A throw-in was flicked on and found Josh Walker inside the box, where the striker had time to pick his spot and equalise.

More Dollies pressure followed as Charlie Bailey fired over from 20 yards before Dom Lawson was through on goal, though Battersby was on hand to smother the chance.

Chances then followed for Nolan and Jim Craig, but another breakthrough proved elusive.

However, all of the first-half pressure was not replicated in the second period.

Three minutes in and City conceded a penalty as Dylan Thompson fouled substitute Henry Brown.

Walker sent the spot-kick down the middle for his second of the afternoon.

It was three six minutes later, when neat play around the backline gave Walker the opportunity to complete his hat-trick.

Charlie Bailey hit the side-netting at the other end, but the Dollies conceded again midway through the half.

They were unable to clear their lines and Brown made it 4-1.

A miserable day on the road was completed on 85 minutes as Billy Fewster scored the hosts’ fifth.

In truth, it could have been much worse if not for saves towards the end by City keeper Brad Kelly.

The Dollies almost ended with a consolation goal, but Dom Lawson’s effort was saved and James Bailey’s follow-up cleared off the line.

Cleethorpes Town: Battersby, Gallimore, Newall, Ravenhill (Bramwell 71), Blunden (Brathwaite 83), Foster, Wilson (Brown 46), Ackroyd (Conway 71), Walker, Hey, Ainley (Fewster 71).

Lancaster City: Kelly, Amison, Thompson, D Moonan, Oliver, Sanogo Fofana (S Bailey 67), Nolan (Yawson 88), Craig (Caine 67), Evangelinos (J Bailey 67), Lawson, C Bailey (B Moonan 78).