A first ever competitive defeat on a 3G surface resulted in Reds’ FA Cup campaign coming to a premature end at the first round qualifying after just 90 painful minutes.

Nathan Valentine grabbed the only goal to see Reds fall at the first hurdle against the Evo-Stik North outfit.

Yet the out-of-sorts Cumbrians did have the ball in the net inside two minutes but Scott Allison’s ‘goal’ was disallowed after the forward had strayed marginally offside.

Aaran Taylor made the first of several key saves, thwarting Luke Dean with a fine one-handed stop. He then advanced quickly off his line to smother the ball at Michael Coulson’s feet before diving full length to keep out Wright’s sweetly struck low shot.

Attempts on the home goal were few and Athletic keeper Tom Taylor easily dealt with headers from Dan Wordsworth and Conor Tinnion as well as a low Allison shot.

By hook or by crook, Reds had weathered the early onslaught but were caught completely cold within a minute of the restart.

Valentine got away from Wordsworth down the inside left channel and although Taylor got a hand to the ball, there was enough momentum to carry it over the line.

Taylor prevented the Yorkshire Seagulls increasing their lead with further important stops to keep out a Sam Hewitt header plus shots from Merris and Valentine.

But Reds did contribute in a more even second half.

Reacting to a Jack Ryan flick-on, Allison chipped the ball into the net but was again adjudged offside. He was then forced wide from another Ryan assist when an equaliser looked a possibility.

And to cap a frustrating afternoon, his near-post header hit the goal frame and was eventually cleared off the line by Matty Turnbull.

Athletic almost doubled their advantage in the final minute, however.

Emile Sinclair chipped the stranded Taylor only to see the ball hit thefoot of the upright, then Wright, Scarborough’s best on the day, wasted the final chance of the game.