YATE TOWN returned to the harsh reality of Southern League football with a 3-0 defeat at Swindon Supermarine last night.

The FA Cup hangover was evident for the Bluebells after giving a good account of themselves in their first round defeat at League Two Cheltenham as they were beaten by the same scoreline in Wiltshire with striker Mitchell Page being sent off.

From playing in front of over 3,000 fans at Whaddon Road, Yate were watched by just 119 as Josh Parsons hit a brilliant first half hat-trick to leave them four points adrift at the bottom of the table with seven defeats from eight games.

Marine left their visitors standing with a flying start to lead within the first five minutes, as Kyle Lapham galloped down the right and teed Parsons up for a tap-in.

Parsons’ second just after the half-hour was sublime, controlling a left-wing cross, leaving two Yate defenders on their backsides and coolly rolling home the ball.

Page’s dismissal for violent conduct did little to help Yate’s cause, and Parsons wrapped up all three points before the break by slotting in Ash Edenborough’s centre.

Yate make the trip to fellow strugglers Paulton Rovers on Saturday, before playing just their third home league game of the season against Abingdon United on Tuesday night (7.45pm).