Potters Bar Town were hit for six as their FA Cup campaign fell at the first hurdle.

It was a torrid afternoon for the Scholars, who were their own worst enemy in the 6-2 loss at Lowestoft Town.

Harvey Sayer scored a hat-trick of penalties, with Jake Reed, Sam Johnson and Kyle Haylock getting the others for the Southern League Premier Division Central side, the same level as the Bar.

Steve Cawley got both for the visitors but on each occasion Lowestoft had scored three before them.

Manager Max Mitchell was keen to draw a line under the performance quickly.

He said: "For the first 15 minutes we were well in the game. We created two or three chances but then we concede on the counter.

"They've got six goals but we have given them five, three penalty kicks. It was uncharacteristic errors that cost us but we've also had 20 shots at goal and weren't clinical enough.

"That's two performances now where heads have gone down when we have gone two or three down. That has to change.

"We did have periods in it and speaking to their manager, we agreed it could have been 6-6.

"That's the FA Cup though and I didn't think we rose to the occasion, a few players were hiding at times and we need to address that.

"We have to brush it off though."

Potters Bar did hit the post twice in the final 15 minutes but by that point they were 6-1 down.

It is something though that Mitchell is clinging onto.

The boss said: "Steve has had two goals and three or four on target from five shots.

"We'll train and work on a few things, there is no need to panic. We have had a good start and have good league points.

"We have to concentrate on that.

"Every game is important. We want to drive a winning culture at the club and we have done well so far this season.

"We go into every game to win, just like we did here but we came out on the wrong side of the result.

"We'll look at the next few games and put things right but short term, we need to get back on the training pitch and address the situation.

"We've had a real honest conversation in the dressing room with players speaking and sharing insight and some understanding.

"They have taken on a lot of responsibility. That's a good sign but we do have to move on."

The Scholars are next in action at their temporary home at Kings Langley when they host Bowers & Pitsea in the Isthmian League Premier Division.

The Essex side have lost four of their five games, drawing the other, to sit bottom of the table.

They did, however, gain an impressive win away to divisional and county rivals Billericay Town in the FA Cup, former Scholar full-back Valckx Fernandes getting the winner 10 minutes from time, with another ex-Scholar Rohdell Gordon also on target.