Chasetown FC’s stuttering start to the season continued as they exited the FA Trophy at Newcastle Town.

Things looked positive for the Scholars when they took the lead after 12 minutes. Danny Cocks got the ball across and Jon Beaumont netted with his right foot at the second attempt.

But the hosts levelled just before the half-hour. Chris Smith was afforded too much space inside the penalty area and drilled beyond Curtis Pond.

The Scholars deservedly regained the lead in the 34th minute when a Jimmy O’Neill long throw in found it’s way to substitute Muzzy Nduna who headed beyond Matt Johnson.

Newcastle were quick to level again though as a whipped cross from the right was turned home by Kyle Stubbs who stole in at the far post.

The hosts then turned it around with a third goal as Rob Orlando-Young whipped over another low cross and Smith tapped home his second of the afternoon.

Newcastle survived a bizarre scare at the start of the second half. Johnson cleared the ball straight into Will Whieldon but – typifying Chasetown’s luck of late – the ball span off the midfielder against the post and straight back into Johnson’s arms.

The Scholars’ afternoon went from bad to worse as they were reduced to ten men when Beaumont received a straight red for a challenge deemed high by the referee.

Smith completed his hat-trick seizing on an underhit back pass to slide past Pond.

The hosts made the extra man count and Smith netted his fourth with another clear run on goal through the inside right channel.

Chasetown never gave up but were unable to climb the mountain they’d created for themselves.