Morpeth Town exited the FA Trophy at the Third Qualifying Round stage with a 4-1 home defeat against FC United of Manchester.

All the goals came in the first half, with Michael Donohue, Jake Charles, Keane Barugh, and Luke Griffiths scoring for the visitors, with Josh Robson responding for the home side.

The Highwaymen made a couple of changes to their starting line-up, with the unavailable Michael Turner replaced by Chris Reid, back after welcoming the birth of his second child. Liam Miller dropped to the bench in place of Ryan Wombwell at left-back.

The game started in slightly frantic fashion, as both sides sought to get the early advantage. Donohue would go closest on seven minutes but his curling, dipping effort went over the top.

Then came the first goal for the away side on 14 minutes, through the same player. He had the presence of mind to dink the ball over the on-rushing Dan Lowson to find the far corner and give his side the advantage.

Morpeth responded positively to the setback, going close on 17 minutes when Will Jenkins’ fierce drive was palmed clear before Vinnie Steels, when clean through, was denied superbly by stopper Pat Boyes.

Then, seconds later, Morpeth levelled thanks to Robson’s second goal of his career and second goal of a relatively profitable campaign so far. A ball into the box found the full-back and his overhead kick hit the back of the net despite Boyes’ best efforts.

Town enjoyed a bit of a purple patch and probably should have been ahead on 21 minutes when Andrew Johnson rose highest. However, his header came off his shoulder and landed on the roof of the net.

Despite being on top, Town conceded on 26 minutes as Charles glanced a header across goal and into the far corner.

Town sought to respond for a second time, Johson denied by Boyes when in behind and then Steels lashed high and wide from the edge of the box on 32 minutes.

Then came a spell of two goals in two minutes as Town suffered irreparable damage. On 39 minutes Barugh found the net before, seconds later, Griffiths also netted to end the game as a contest.

A couple of sporadic chances in the second half – Johnson lashing over just after half-time, Jenkins shooting wide of the target, and Steels seeing his close range shot hit the far post – was all that was noteworthy in the second half as FC United eased into the next round.

The Highwaymen are next in action on Saturday when they travel to FC United for a league fixture.

MORPETH TOWN: Lowson, Robson, Wombwell, Jenkins, Henderson, Reid (Sayer 74’), Steels, Donaldson Thomson 78’), Hodgson, Barlow, Johnson (Foalle 55’).

SUBS: Miler.

FC UNITED: Boyes, McLoughlin, Hall (Gabidon 69’), Munro, Oliver, Palinkas, Cane, Griffiths, Charles (Bollado 57’), Donohue (Ennis 55’), Barugh.

SUBS: Morris, Marshall.

ATT: 418