NORTHWICH Victoria bowed out of the FA Vase last night after losing to opponents that included a host of former players in their starting line-up.

Stockport Town progressed to the second qualifying round, where they will visit AFC Blackpool or West Didsbury & Chorlton later this month, as a reward for a 4-3 win at Townfield.

Five ex-Vics men, including popular midfielder Matty Clarke, were on the field from the first minute for a side that plays a level below Paul Moore's men.

And one of them, Tyler Edwards, opened the scoring midway through the opening period.

However Yaw Gyimah restored parity – his first goal since returning the club after spending pre-season with Ashton United – before the break.

Andrew Fitzgerald, another that played for Northwich last season, made it 2-1 to the visitors when he headed home from a corner in the second half.

Substitute Aaron Dwyer added his name to the scoresheet before an unlucky Reece Lyndon then deflected a cross past goalkeeper James Longdin, making his Vics debut, to leave the hosts 4-1 adrift.

They staged a rally of sorts and Brian Matthews converted a penalty – his eighth goal of the campaign – before sub Olly Walker headed in from close range with time running out.

Those goals arrived too late to change the outcome though, meaning Vics have now fallen at the first hurdle in both FA competitions this season.

Full report to follow.