RAMSBOTTOM United suffered a 6-0 loss at National League North outfit Gateshead in their FA Cup second qualifying round tie.

The visitors started brightly with Rammy’s Iyrwah Gooden forcing Heed keeper Bradley James into the first action of the afternoon, but the visitors could not capitalise after a low cross was spilled. James did better with a good save from Nic Evangelinos’ well-struck effort

Between those chances, Gateshead went close through Nicky Deverdics’ free kick, gathered by Tom Stewart in the Rams’ goal.

Gateshead began to click into gear becoming more of an attacking threat and the opener came on the half-hour mark.

Deverdics’ pinpoint cross found Jordan Preston at the far post and his ball along the six-yard box found the unmarked Greg Olley who converted from close range.

A goal to the good and with confidence levels on the rise, Gateshead scored their second five minutes before half time.

An ill-advised back pass from Kelvin Lugsden was intercepted by Josh Kayode and as Stewart raced out, he upended the Rotherham loanee for a penalty, converted by Preston.

An offside flag denied the away side a quick reply through Mason Fawn and Chris Willcock’s side went into the break 2-0 down.

The chances began to increase for Gateshead in the second half and Rams full-back Sam Adelitoye had to be alert to clear with Preston about to pounce.

The away side responded when Josh Hmami stole the ball from a defender before sliding a pass through to Anointed Chukwu but the opportunity soon disappeared as the home defence closed ranks around the Salford loan player.

Substitute Connor Thomson created his own chance after stealing possession but fired off-target.

Midway through the second half the Heed scored their third goal to kill off Rammy’s hopes.

Some incisive passing led to the ball arriving for midfielder Liam Agnew to send a low, skimming effort from 25 yards past the despairing dive of Stewart.

Minutes later things got worse for the Rams when they conceded at a set-piece, Olley’s deep corner met by the head of centre-back Toby Lees at the far post.

And a head-spinning five-minute period in which Gateshead scored five times was completed by a second goal for man-of-the-match Olley.

Thomson went on a rampaging run through midfield and laid off to Olley, and his angled drive flew into the back of the net to give the hosts an unassailable lead with a quarter of the match still to play.

They scored their sixth and final goal 15 minutes from time.

It came from a simple through ball that allowed an unmarked Kayode the time and space to slide under the advancing Stewart for the goal his performance deserved.

As the tie drew towards a close both sides fired in long-range efforts which failed to test the goalkeepers, though the result had been beyond doubt for some time ago and the Rams were grateful the scoreline did not increase.

The final whistle finally put Willcock out of his misery, bringing an end to an afternoon of few positives, the Rams knocked out by a ruthless Gateshead side who thoroughly deserved to progress to the next round of the competition.