Workington Reds Ladies made an early exit from the Argyle Sports Kit North West Regional Cup at Derwent Park.
The game had promised so much in the opening 30 minutes for the Reds but a spell of 15 minutes saw them concede four unanswered goals.
In the end Warrington Wolves, who played the last 30 minutes with 10 players, went through 5-2
It was a disappointing defeat for the Ladies after they more than matched their opponents for most of the 90 minutes.
The first 15 minutes were very cagey with both teams looking to settle into the game but it was the Reds who established themselves first.
Holly Redmond, who impressed throughout the game with her solid defence and dominance in possession, threaded a sublime ball through from the centre circle on 15 minutes.
It dissected the Warrington back-line and found Sophie Birkett in space. Her cross was collected by Laura Ivison and the shot that followed was only just wide.
Within a minute a similar ball from Redmond found Birkett closing in on goal but her shot was gathered by the Warrington keeper, Olivia Brierley.
A good move on 22 minutes, which saw Sophie Douglas carrying the ball from deep and taking a one-two from Emi Rudd, again ended with the ball in Brierley’s gloves.
Two more chances were created before the half hour mark but both were flagged offside and the game remained level.
However a minute later the Reds found the breakthrough they had been looking for to take a deserved lead.
The ball was fed down the right to find Birkett in space and she found Rudd near the edge of the area, slightly left of centre.
Showing great composure under pressure Rudd picked out the bottom right corner with a controlled finish. However the last 10 minutes of the half saw the Reds dominance and lead disappear.
The Warrington attack capitalised on half chances with Nicola Chatterly and Rachel Dickenson scoring to stand the game on its head.
Worse was to follow as Warrington scored twice inside the first four minutes of the second half with Chatterly bagging her second and Emily Walton adding the fourth.
Reds responded by making three substitutions as Hannah Geen, Linzi Donaldson and Helen Wagstaff replaced Ivison, Ellie Ritchie and Douglas.
On the hour mark the visitors were reduced to 10 players as Lily Parsons was shown two yellow cards in less than 30 seconds.
The first was for repeated infringements when pressing, having being warned on numerous occasions. The second was for a gesture towards the crowd on receiving her first card!
In the final 30 minutes Reds had plenty of possession as they collectively pushed to reduce the 4-1 arrears. Warrington sat and looked to capitalise on the spaces left by the home side.
That’s what happened on 76 minutes as Warrington hit on the break with quick passing and Chatterly showed great composure to register a well-taken hat trick.
A minute later a shot by Donaldson from 30 yards out was fumbled by Brierley into the back of the net.
The game had promised so much in the opening 30 minutes for the Reds but that short spell before and after half-time made all the difference.
Holly Redmond was awarded both the Player of the Game and the Sponsors (Teasdale Family) Player of the Game for her defensive and attacking performance over the 90 minutes.
Team and subs: Laura Miller, Eleanor McDonald, Naomi Foster, Holly Redmond, Alice Kemp, Sophie Douglas, Ellie Ritchie, Sophie Birkett, Chloe Henderson, Emi Rudd, Laura Ivison, Hannah Geen, Linzi Donaldson, Helen Wagstaff, Sydney Bragg, Zara Sandelands.
