FOR 1874 Northwich, the FA Cup first qualifying round remains out of reach.

That they haven’t made it there this time, at their third attempt, is largely their own fault.

Colne cruised through to the next stage, where they will meet Northern Premier League rivals Hyde, after scoring three goals in the opening half hour.

Ian Street’s side had reason to be optimistic after earning a replay, and deservedly so, on Saturday.

But a strangely sluggish start cost them dearly.

Put simply, their guests – promoted as North West Counties League champions at the end of last season – are good enough without the gift of a head-start.

From the moment Matthew Beadle – a former favourite at Barton Stadium, of course – chipped an opening goal in the fourth minute, they assumed control.

1874’s defence, shuffled slightly with Danny Thomas unavailable, ought to have cleared before the ball landed at the forward’s feet.

If that was frustrating, Colne’s second was borne of calamity.

There appeared to be little danger when a hopeful pass forward sailed towards goalkeeper Greg Hall.

However he badly misjudged the bounce, and felled Beadle as they pair bore down on the loose ball.

Ben Wharton’s spot kick was clinical.

Hall redeemed himself, in part at least, when he reacted instinctively to palm clear Joe Garvin’s sweetly-struck volley on 21 minutes.

But there was little he could do to stop skipper Michael Morrison’s drilled shot, after Garvin’s free kick had been deflected into his path, when the visitors added to their lead shortly afterwards.

And with that, 1874’s latest FA Cup adventure was over.

Dominated in midfield, they too often were forced to play long balls towards Tom Bailey and Shelton Payne in attack.

And if Colne expected a reaction immediately after the interval, they were disappointed.

Their hosts were sturdier in defence, but invisible still up front until the introduction of Scott McGowan.

Tom Bailey’s free kick from distance at least prompted goalkeeper Nosakhare Aghayere to dirty his gloves on 64 minutes.

Craig Farnworth’s downward header, from Eddie Moran’s deep corner, drew another save.

1874’s best chance to re-open the contest fell to Stuart Wellstead, but he arced an effort wide following determined approach play from Paul Connor.

They knew their luck was out when Ryan Mitchell’s header hit the underside of the crossbar.

He raised his arm to celebrate scoring, but neither referee Scott Sinclair nor linesman Jonathan Broadhurst agreed he had after Aghayere scrambled the ball clear.

Colne, playing at a lower intensity, continued to pose a sporadic threat.

Wharton, after shooting on the turn in a single movement, went closest to adding to their lead from substitute Joel Melia’s assist.

1874 could at least console themselves when Bailey, aided by a deflection off Danny Morton, poked in Jack Woolley’s cut-back in stoppage time.

The cheer was only fleeting though.

After recovering from 2-1 down to earn a second crack at Colne with a last-minute leveller at the weekend, this felt like a punch in the stomach.

1874 | 4-3-3 | Hall (GK), Connor, Mitchell, Farnworth, Russell, Jones (Rick Bailey 31), Matthew Woolley, Moran, Payne (McGowan 56), Tom Bailey, Wellstead (Jack Woolley 73) Subs not used Welsh, Middleton, Hind Goal Bailey 90 (+1) Booked Hall, Moran, Wellstead, Farnworth

Colne | 4-3-3 | Aghayere (GK), Morton, Lynch, Coleman, Pugh, Anderson, Morrison, Garvin (Craig 56), Beadle (Melia 77), Wharton, Hargreaves (Taylor 69) Subs not used Hoskin, Berwick Goals Beadle 4, Wharton 16 (penalty), Morrison 33 Booked Garvin, Morrison, Hargreaves

Referee Scott Sinclair

Attendance 254