TADCASTER Albion have been knocked out of the FA Trophy after being thrashed 5-1 at home to Runcorn Linnets.

Tadcaster, who remain without a permanent manager following the departure of Paul Quinn last month, are now on a run of five straight defeats and nine losses from their 11 last matches.

The Brewers were practically out of the contest after almost a quarter of the match, quickly finding themselves three goals down.

Runcorn's intentions were made clear as they mustered two clear-cut chances in the first five minutes.

The first saw the visitors volley wide before goalkeeper Ally Hughes saved well from the latter.

Inside 10 minutes Runcorn went in front as Ryan Brooke broke free at the back post and met Iwan Murray’s free-kick to find the top corner with a powerful header.

Things went from bad to worse for Tadcaster soon after when Joe Wilkinson tripped Brooke in the box which allowed Jaques Welsh to convert from 12 yards.

Initially the hosts responded well to the second goal. Des Amponsah curled an effort against the foot of the post before captain Simon Russell saw his rebound strike cleared off the line.

Another slick passing move from Taddy presented Russell with another chance, though Runcorn keeper Jo Young came out to smother the cross aimed for the skipper.

On 26 minutes, Linnets efficiently punished Tadcaster by grabbing a third goal in a carbon copy of their first.

Another Murray free kick was headed past Hughes by Brooke, the only difference being that the set piece was delivered from the opposite flank.

Runcorn added to their lead before half-time. Five minutes before the interval, Rhain Hellawell cut inside from the left and curled an effort into the top corner.

Despite the sizeable deficit, caretaker Andy Monkhouse's side were much better after the break and began to force the issue.

Russell tested Young with a low drive from long range and, on the hour, Albion were finally on the scoresheet.

Marco Basic won himself a free kick on the left and delivered a ball which found its way in at the back post without needing a touch from anyone inside the 18-yard box.

Tadcaster almost again, once more threatening from a Basic set piece, which caused chaos in the box but Runcorn somehow cleared the goal-mouth scramble.

With three minutes of the game remaining, Runcorn rounded off the match with goal number five.

In their first attempt of the second half, Eden Gumbs drove a shot out of the reach of Hughes to cap a successful trip to the Global Stadium.

Bottom side Tadcaster return to Pitching In Northern Premier League east action at home to 16th-placed Bridlington Town on Saturday (3pm).

Elsewhere, fellow NPL east outfit Pickering Town had no such problems in the Trophy, progressing past Ramsbottom United as 2-1 winners at Mill Lane.

Alhassane Keita put Town in front late in the first-half before Steve Hoy equalised just short of the hour.

A second Keita strike on 79 minutes ensured a place in the third round qualifying stage of the competition, which takes place on Saturday, October 30.

The Pikes resume their league campaign with a trip to Stockton Town, who currently sit 12th in the table, six places above Pickering.