South Shields' Under-18s bowed out of the FA Youth Cup at the second round stage despite a spirited display against a strong Grimsby Town side at 1st Cloud Arena.
The young Mariners - who defeated four teams to reach that stage of the prestigious competition - were backed by a crowd of almost 400 as they aimed to become the second Shields side to qualify for the third round.
A clinical Grimsby outfit ran out 5-1 winners, though, despite Matty Telfer extending his run of scoring in every round of the competition with his seventh Youth Cup goal.
Shields responded well to a swift Grimsby start which required two excellent Olly Walker saves to keep the hosts level.
They grew in confidence and forced two fine stops from visiting goalkeeper Seb Auton, the second of which denied Dan Savage.
It would be the visitors who grabbed the opener, though, with Cameron Gardner's superb strike finding the corner of the net shortly after the half-hour.
Gardner made it a quickfire double with a glancing header from Callum Storr's corner which kissed the post on its way in.
Walker made another outstanding save to keep Shields in contention but Gardner's hat-trick goal just before the hour mark effectively ended the home side's hopes.
Gardner's perfect night was dented towards the end when he was sent off for a second booking, and the Mariners had a glimmer of hope when Telfer turned well in the box and fired into the bottom corner.
Shields pressed for further goals to set up a grandstand finish, but they were caught out at the other end as substitute Grayson Giles converted a Jaxon Blankley cross.
Giles added his second goal three minutes into stoppage time to give the scoreline a harsh look for the Mariners, who had battled well throughout.