CLEETHORPES Town crashed out of the Baris NCEL League Cup at the first hurdle on Tuesday night, going down 3-1 to Pontefract Collieries at The Beechnut Lane Stadium.

Luke Mascall and Jonathan Oglesby were dismissed in the second half for the Owls who had trailed early on after Greig McGrory headed in for the hosts.

Alex Flett equalised from the spot but Nathan Perks scored twice to secure Collieries progress to the next round at the expense of Clee who missed a second penalty in the dying moments of the game.

Owls boss Andy Liddle made four changes to the starting eleven which threw away a two-goal lead to draw 3-3 at Athersley Recreation on the opening day of the Baris NCEL league season.

Marc Cooper and Luke McFarland were paired up front, while defender Richard Peck was restored to the Clee backline. There was also a start for Lewis Wilson at left back.

It was a disastrous start for Cleethorpes, who found themselves behind within a minute. Matthew Coleman's mistake allowed Greig McGrory to nod the hosts in front almost immediately.

Clee were lacking composure all over the pitch - a feature which was partially down to Pontefract's insistence on pushing high up the pitch to put the spotlight on the visitors' ability to keep the ball.

Luke Mascall and Jonathan Oglesby both had half chances to level matters before half-time but the interval came with Cleethorpes a goal behind.

Eight minutes into the second half, Liddle's men were given a route back into the game when McFarland was brought down in the opposition box. Alex Flett stepped up to confidently drive the resulting penalty kick low and into the back of the net.

There followed a period of sustained pressure from Cleethorpes, who were emerging as the most likely winners. But, with just over an hour played, Pontefract restored their lead when Nathan Perks took advantage of more hesitant defending to lob Miles Fenty in the Owls goal.

An Oglesby header struck the post minutes after the goal but, with around 20 minutes left, Clee's job became much more difficult when Perks scored his second of the game to put the hosts 3-1 up.

With time running out, Cleethorpes struggled to maintain their discipline. First Mascall and then Oglesby were dismissed as the struggling Owls saw red.

Even with nine men, the visitors refused to capitulate and won a second penalty in the dying embers of the game. However this time, Flett's spot kick was poor and easily saved.

Cleethorpes Town will hope to bounce back in their first home match of the season against Bottesford Town on Saturday at Bradley Community Stadium. Kick-off is at 3pm and entry costs £3 for adults and £1 for concessions.