BARROW AFC Under-18s were unable to mount an FA Youth Cup run as the youngsters fell to a 5-1 defeat in the Second Round Qualifying at the hands of an impressive Gateshead Under-18s side.

A respectable crowd of 159 were in attendance to provide vocal support under the Holker Street floodlights.

And it was Barrow who embraced the atmosphere and opened stronger, registering after just eight minutes when a dangerous Joe Hayes cross to the back post forced an own goal from a Gateshead defender.

If a long journey over the Pennines was to blame for a lacklustre start, the side from the North-East soon warmed to the contest. A defensive error from Barrow gifted their opponents a chance, and though Maz Bickerdike gamely saved the first attempt, Liam Robertson smashed home the rebound to draw the visitors level.

Another costly mistake just four minutes later allowed Lewis McGeoch to edge the visitors in front with half an hour played.

Though the home side began the second period brightly, they fell victim to a ruthless counter-attack as Robertson notched his second of the evening.

Gateshead assumed control of the tie from this point onward, with Dan Cranston neatly finishing in the bottom right just after the hour mark. Robertson found the same corner late on to score Gateshead’s fifth and claim a deserved hat-trick.

A second-half injury to Tyler Spence overshadowed the latter stages of the game.

Barrow AFC Performance Centre head, Tony Callister, was proud of the team’s efforts despite the result.

“I was mostly pleased with the performance, though we weren’t quite at the level of our opposition,” he said.

“Mistakes cost us dearly, and I felt their energy and organisation took us over – particularly in the second half. I think that can be put down to Gateshead playing as a full-time under-18s side.

“On balance I’m happy with the performance, and pleased so many made it through the turnstiles to provide a buoyant atmosphere.

“The injury to Tyler Spence did overshadow the second half and though it’s his knee, the early signs are that it’s not too serious. We all wish Tyler a speedy recovery.”

This is the second consecutive season that the under-18s have been eliminated from the national competition by a youth team from a National League rival. Last year the young Bluebirds were beaten 4-1 at AFC Fylde.