North End crashed out of the Women's FA Cup succumbing 3-1 at home to Newcastle.

After taking the lead, Simon Gerrard's team threw away the advantage to their fellow Northern Premier League opposition, who lie six places below them in the table.

It was their first fixture since they beat Curzon Ashton in the previous round of the Cup a few weeks earlier.

The home side started brightly with Gemma Watson hitting the upright as early as the second minute.

The deadlock was broken only moments later when Gemma Watson slotted home the penalty awarded after Sarah McCrea was brought down in the box. The Newcastle keeper managed to get a hand to the spot-kick but there was sufficient power in the shot for it to hit the back of the net.

Further opportunities fell to the Whites with Alison Taberner shooting wide on 20 minutes before seeing her corner headed over half way through the first period. 

The action immediately switched to the other end with Newcastle finding an equaliser. A free kick was headed home when North End failed to mark adequately at the back post.

A further set-piece in the 34^th minute awarded to Newcastle could have seen them take the lead but brave keeping by Emma Reader in the North End goal denied the Magpies.

Newcastle however did take a 2-1 advantage into the half time interval. A 40^th minute solo effort by their number nine, Sarah Bennett, saw her pick up the ball in virtually her own half before dribbling through the Preston back line to coolly finish over the keeper.

The start of the second half witnessed the Whites go in search of an equaliser. Inside the opening 10 minutes, McCrea saw her cross collected by the keeper whilst Cadwallader had two chances to level, firstly forcing a save and then heading over.

Despite defending for most of the game Newcastle always looked to take advantage on the break. On 70 minutes, Bennett again showed her ability, out pacing the North End defence to hammer in her second and give Newcastle a 3-1 lead.

North End manager Simon Gerrard then made a double substitution bringing Mel Martin and Louise Cafferkey to the field in an attempt to get back into the game.

Further opportunities came their way McCrea seeing her shot spilled by the keeper and Bateman's free kick going wide. However, the visitors held on to their 3-1 lead until the final whistle.

North End were left knowing that despite their dominance missed opportunities and individual errors had prevented them from progression to the next round.

After the game, Louise Cafferkey said: "We were by the far the better side, played some good football but just missed our chances. They had three chances, a couple of which were our own errors and they scored them all.

"At the end of the day we should have won and it is not the first time it has happened this season. It was just one of those games, we hit the woodwork in both halves.

"We got knocked out in the fourth round last year but it is a prestigious cup for both the men and the women and we are all proud to have played in it. To go out at this stage again is gutting really."