FC United’s attentions must quickly turn to the league after their triumphant FA Cup adventure came to a crushing end against Brighton.

The Rebels lost 4-0 to the League One leaders a week last Wednesday in the second round replay at Gigg Lane.

Goals from Francisco Sandanza and Inigo Calderon handed Seagulls a 2-0 half-time lead in front of a record crowd of 6,731.

FC were handed a lifeline on 68 minutes when Ben Deegan was impeded in the penalty area but Jake Cottrell saw his spot-kick hit the post.

Elliott Bennett and Matthew Sparrow added further goals in the last five minutes to set up a third round clash with Portsmouth for Gus Poyet’s team and end United’s heroic run.

Karl Marginson’s side must now focus on hauling themselves away from the foot of the Evo-Stik Premier League table where, having played just four legate games in two months, they find themselves sitting second bottom, albeit with games in hand.

Former Rebels defender Simon Garner came back to haunt his old club on Saturday when he scored the only goal in table-toppers Halifax Town 1-0 victory.

They take on Marine at Stalybridge’s Bower Fold ground on Sunday.