Eccleshill 0 Newcastle Blue Star 3

A home tie could not help United stave off an early exit from the FA Vase as they were reduced to ten men following Scott Price's sending-off midway through the second half against Newcastle Blue Star.

The hosts had battled well since the break but Price was guilty of a rash challenge and was dismissed. He had already picked up a yellow card but the scything tackle was so over the top that he was shown a straight red.

Blue Star, who had knocked Eccleshill's neighbours Liversedge out of the FA Cup, took an advantage into the break after Craig Coats scored a good goal but there was an improvement from United after the interval.

The visitors' keeper did well to tip a Gary Birchill shot over and James Hanson went close more than once. Newcastle responded to snatch another through Paul Robinson and Price lost his composure moments later.

The ten men of the home side put great effort in, and even adapted a formation to suit their numerical disadvantage, but Coats popped up in the penultimate minute to add a third for the visitors.

"Certain things happened that I won't tolerate as manager of this football club and I will be putting those right," said United boss Steve Watson.

"The thanks after this game don't go out to the players but to the workers who keep the club going and the supporters. I feel especially sorry for them as they have turned up with high hopes.

"Our recent form has been good - the league table doesn't lie - but we have let them down this time. I want the supporters to know that it hurts me just as much as them when we lose a game. I mean business, we won't be making a habit of it.

"We haven't got a midweek game so I will be getting the players in for training on Monday and Wednesday and really putting them through it. These lads will make amends or, if I don't get the right reaction, then I will bring others in who will. The ones who let the others down don't need me to single them out."