PICKERING Town bowed out of the Emirates FA Cup at the first hurdle after a 3-0 defeat in their Extra Preliminary Round clash at Penrith.

However, whilst the outcome is undoubtedly a disappointing one for the Pikes, their performance was better than the result suggests.

Penrith’s DJ Taylor, Connor Hammell and Luke Hunter wrapped up victory inside the opening 25 minutes, earning the Cumbrian outfit over £1000 in prize money, and a next-round tie against Northern League Division One outfit Crook Town.

Both sides were guilty of wasting possession, giving the ball away far too easily in good areas of the pitch. 

But it was the home side - playing with the breeze in the first half - that struck early after a mistake at the back by Pickering.

Luke Hunter was afforded plenty of space to cross towards Taylor, who pounced from close range with just three minutes on the clock.

And on a pitch they are clearly more accustomed to, the hosts soon ran away with the game as they were more clinical with their chances and took them when it mattered most.

Ex-Carlisle United midfielder Hammell curled in a second for Penrith from just outside the box before Hunter, who had assisted the opening two goals, got in on the action himself midway through the half.

Pickering did create a couple of good chances through Nathan Dyer, but the final ball across the box eluded both Joe Wood and Harry Jessop.

Three goals behind at the break, Tony Hackworth looked to his bench, and with Sam Calvert back in a Pikes shirt after six years away, they were the better side thereafter.

However, Pickering could not find the goals to bring them back into the match, despite Kieran Stares, Jessop and Harry Lovick all going close.

The Pikes will next take to the field against Knaresborough Town on Tuesday (7:45pm), with Friday's scheduled fixture at Goole postponed due to ground unavailability.