JAMES McShane admitted conceding a goal on the stroke of half-time was a blow Barnton struggled to recover from after they exited the FA Cup.

The Villagers had enjoyed the better of the opening period on Saturday only for Danny Taylor to put AFC Darwen in front after the away side failed to deal with a corner.

“It affected us,” said McShane, Barnton’s player-manager.

“And we just couldn’t get going.”

Goalkeeper Arran Lyons was his side’s star turn after the interval, and a stunning double-save kept the score at 1-0.

However Adam Heaney doubled the home team’s advantage on the hour when he converted a delicate cross from Taylor.

Callum Richards cleared another effort off the line before Taylor put the tie out of Barnton’s reach with eight minutes left.

A late goal from captain Chris Smith provided consolation for McShane’s men, who will hope to recover at the first attempt when they visit Eccleshall in a North West Counties League fixture on Saturday.

“We’ve got to move on quickly,” said the Villagers’ boss.

“On a positive note, Arran’s performance in goal for us was superb and Smith is up and running for the season.”

Darwen | Brindle (GK), Wood, Green, Heaney (Cain 79), Parker (Turner 46), Lonsdale, Knowles, Taylor, Saeed, Harrison (Cole 76) Subs not used none Goals Taylor 45 (+2), 82 Heaney 58 Booked Harrison

Barnton | Lyons (GK), Ford, Dursley, Newman (James McShane 77), Richards, Yearsley, Warburton (Preston 70), Hamid, Smith, Bazley (Conway 60), Nicholls Subs not used Derek McShane, Judge (GK), Kavanagh, Arnold Goal Smith 88

Referee William Davis

Attendance 89