BRADFORD (Park Avenue) were knocked out of the FA Cup following a 2-1 defeat at lower-league Ashington in the second qualifying round.

The home side took an early fifth-minute lead after former Bantams defender Reece Staunton netted an own goal.

The Northern League team's lead would be doubled through a corner 70 minutes later.

Will Longbottom then entered the fray as a substitute and managed to pull a goal back.

Avenue thought they had gained an equaliser when Harrison Hopper found the unmarked Eddie Church who put the ball into an open goal from close range.

However, the linesman made a controversial offside call which denied the visitors.

Manager Mark Bower sent on academy prospect George Eze for his senior debut in the final few minutes.

Bradford were not alone as a Vanarama National League North side who suffered defeat to lower-ranked opposition on Saturday.

Brackley, Leamington, Spennymoor and Telford all exited the cup at the first stage.

Post-match, boss Bower provided an honest review of the game and where his team are currently at.

He said: "The lads are better than what they are producing at the minute.

"Clearly, we need to change something because we are not getting the results we should be."

Avenue, who are yet to win a game this season, hope to have influential skipper Luca Havern back from injury when they come up against AFC Fylde in the league this coming weekend.