However, Town appeared still to be suffering a hangover from Tuesday's defeat to rivals Blyth Spartans, with only Danny Brunskill coming close early on in a dire first half.

The Blues made three changes from that side with goalkeeper Nick Liversedge and full-back Leon Scott - both unable to play in the FA Cup - returning and midfielder Steve Huggins back from injury.

Prescot were limited to efforts from distance, mainly from midfielder Steve Williams, with Liversedge a virtual spectator for the opening 45.

Brunskill's chance came inside five minutes after the big forward latched onto a neat left-wing cross firing straight at keeper Zak Hibbert with the ball ricocheting back off Whitby's number ten but into the fortunate Hibbert's arms.

Just like at FC United a few weeks previously, Town lost Mark Tinkler early on - the former Leeds United veteran twisting his ankle and limping off to be replaced by Andy Burton on 16 minutes. Whitby reshuffled with joint manager Phil Brumwell moving from his holding midfield role into defence to accommodate Burton.

Jimmy Beadle netted his first Whitby goal at Blyth with a neat chip, and tried a similiar trick on 20 minutes from distance, but the former York City man's lob was just too high to trouble Hibbert.

Suprisingly, Town kept faith with their first half team despite a poor showing and were rewarded eleven minutes into the second half.

Brunskill held the ball up well before playing in Steve Huggins who appeared to be caught on the heel inside the box as he fired wide of goal.

Referee Mr Dicicco dismissed full-back Paul Williams as the last man, but awarded a free-kick right on the edge of the area. Huggins promptly delivered swift justice as he curled the resulting set piece sweetly into the top left corner of the net.

Cables suddenly woke up and when the ball struck Kevin Burgess just outside his own box, loud appeals from the Prescot bench eventually persuaded the nearby linesman to flag for handball. However, from just outside the box, ex-QPR marksman Karl Connolly sent the subsequent free-kick well wide of goal.

At the other end, Tony Hackworth showed great strength after turning past one player to hold off another, but just overhit a through ball for Brunskill. Moments later, the ex-Leeds man did well again to play in the unlikely figure of defender Burgess, who fired wide.

Prescot substitute Jamie Rainford then tried his luck from 30 yards on the turn, with the ball flying inches wide. Liversedge then did well to parry point blank from the same player as he slid in from point blank range after a driven right-wing cross- Town lucky that no-one in yellow was following up.

As it was, the Seasiders introduced Sam Garvie for Craig Bishop, who was having to fill in for the injured Karl Charlton in an unfamiliar left-wing role. And the hosts soon put the result beyond doubt with two quickfire goals in as many minutes late on.

Firstly, Hackworth saw two shots charged down just outside the box, before Beadle cut in to drill home the loose ball for his second goal in as many games.

Then, moments after Prescot sub Phil Cooney shot high and wide when unmarked at the far post, Brunskill released the pacey Garvie down the left, the teenager left two players trailing before rifling the ball between Hibbert and his near post.

Final score: Whitby Town 3 Prescot Cables 0.
Whitby Town: Liversedge, Burgess (Ormerod 82), Scott, Lyth, Tinkler(Burton 16), Beadle, Huggins, Hackworth, Brumwell, Brunskill, Bishop(Garvie 73). Subs not used: Nogan, Thompson.
Attendance: 246
Match Sponsor: Saultz Bistro - High Street, Hinderwell. www.saultzbistro.co.uk
Matchball Sponsor: Mike Weatherill - Stonemason - Oakfield, Danby.
Whitby Co-operative WTFC Man of the match: Steve Huggins.