A SPECTACULAR 30-yard strike from Brad Richardson wasn’t enough to save Wallington as they crashed out of the Team Valley Carpets Challenge Cup.

The Scots Gap-based side lost 5-1 away to Alnwick on a day which went against them from the opening stages.

Alnwick took the lead after just 10 minutes from a free kick, and took advantage of a breakaway to add a second shortly afterwards.

Wallington enjoyed an extended spell of possession during the first half, but were unable to trouble the North Northumberland side, who currently sit four places below them in the Northern Alliance Premier Division.

A third Town goal appeared to have put the game to bed, but the visitors replied instantly with Richardson’s 30-yard strike, which will live longer in the memory than the game itself, from a Wallington perspective.

Unfortunately for the Greens, the home team scored a fourth goal from a similar distance, before making it 5-1 with about 10 minutes remaining.

Refusing to give up, Wallington began to create more chances as the game wore on, but were unable to find a breakthrough.

This was only Wallington’s second game after a frustrating absence of 42 days, during which three matches were postponed due to the weather.

The Alnwick defeat followed the previous week’s narrow victory over underdogs Ponteland United Reserves on penalties in the George Dobbins League Cup.

On Saturday, Wallington return to league action with a home game against Seaton Delaval.