Hardly Athletic finally got to play some football this season, but were defeated by last season premier League champions Kidsgrove.
Hardly started well, against a side that beat them 8-0 in last seasons cup, but were 2-0 down after two well taken goals by the opposition before a quick move between Buxton and Cope led to the latter putting the ball into the path of Matthew Young who found the bottom corner to half the deficit.
Athletic started the second half on the front foot but were soon 4-1 down after a defensive error and a long range screamer gave Kidsgrove some breathing space.
The pressure seemed to ease on Athletic and they were soon back on the front foot with James Robins ignoring calls that he had pulled the ball from inside the goalkeepers area to find the net from an acute angle before Buxton raced onto a McEvoy through ball and slotted past the keeper.
Hardly pushed for an equaliser but, after piling everyone forward in the final seconds, were hit on the break and Kidsgrove put the ball past Dale to secure the victory and three points in the cup group.