ALNWICK Town crashed out of The Bosch Power Tools Challenge Cup with a 2-1 defeat at Murton.

Steve Turner and Mark Smith guided the hosts through to the next round as Alnwick stumbled at the competition's first hurdle.

Murton, last year's Division One runners-up, are unbeaten at home this season, winning three of their four Premier Division clashes at Recreation Park this term.

The pitch is probably the largest in the league and the Durham side carried their formidable record on home soil into the cup as they saw off Albert Straughan's Town troops.

Alnwick, who came to Murton on the back of a 3-1 midweek win against Newcastle University – Town's first triumph in six games – found it hard to break down their Premier Division opponents; Tony Brown's long range effort the closest the visitors came early on.

And Town fell behind on the half-hour. A cleared ball fell in between two Alnwick defenders on the edge of the box and Turner finished excellently, chipping the ball over the advancing Brian Brooks in the Alnwick goal.

Alnwick could have levelled after great work by Marc Richardson on the right, who squared the ball across the Murton goal for forward Richard Brown, but he was just unable to get a touch on the ball to finish off a great move. The second-half saw Alnwick have the first chance. A cross to the back post was narrowly headed past the post by Carl Sanders.

Murton increased the lead on the hour. Poor marking let in tall defender Smith to head past Brooks from 12yards after a free-kick was given on the right side of midfield.

Alnwick changed formation after going two goals down playing three at the back for the remainder of the game. This payed off immediately as Richardson scored a great individual goal. Controlling the ball on his chest, he turned and drilled the ball into the corner of the net, giving the home keeper little chance.

Richardson could have made it two in the 70th minute as the forward rounded the keeper but was thwarted as the Murton stopper got his fingertips to the ball. Alnwick pressed for the equaliser and shots from Brown and Ian Common were blocked on the line.

As the visitors pushed-up, stopper Brooks was called on to make a fine save from Turner in the dying stages of the game.

But it was not enough and Alnwick became the fourth team this term to be put to the sword at Recreation Park.

Alnwick host Ashington Colliers on Wednesday (kick-off 7pm) before travelling to Premier Division table-toppers Gillford Park on Saturday.

Alnwick team: B Brooks, C Henderson, N Catlow, G Bails, R Young, C Sanders, A Tate, B Murray, T Brown, M Richardson, R Brown, B Keenen, S McMullen, I Common.