Lynn were sent crashing out of the FA Cup after a woeful display at The Walks this afternoon.

The hosts unbelievably found themselves 4-0 down at the break thanks to some shocking defending which allowed Chris Bacon, Ieuan Lewis, Jackson Ramm and Adam Marriott to put Cambridge City in dreamland.

And even though Rob Duffy's penalty restored some pride in a slightly improved second-half display, the first qualifying round clash ended as badly as it started for the Norfolk outfit. Dan Quigley was sent off for a second bookable offence before Nick Beasant bagged a late fifth to send the Lilywhites home cock-a-hoop and with £3,000 prize money in their coffers.

Gary Setchell made two changes from the side which won so handsomely at Worksop Town in midweek. Ryan Fryatt dropped to the bench at the expense of Jordan Yong, who had recovered from a toe problem, while Andy Hall came in for Shane Tolley – now no longer a Linnet after opting to join Ryman League Bury Town.

It was another ex-Lynn player who nearly stole the headlines in the opening couple of minutes. And to be fair, he should have done. Bacon, who joined the Lilywhites from Wisbech Town in the summer, was presented with a golden chance thanks to a clever cross from Lewis. But from six yards out, at most, he could only knee against the post when it looked easier to score.

However, minutes later he was less wasteful as he celebrated another goal at The Walks, this time in the white of City. A fine move saw the ball find Marriott in the pocket and his defence-splitting through ball released Bacon. This time, he avoided the woodwork and drove the ball straight under Danny Gay to put his men in front.

Lynn's woeful start didn't get any better and they were made to pay for it just four minutes later. With the hosts looking at sixes and sevens, a messy passage of play saw Josh Dawkin ride a challenge on the edge of the box before slipping in Lewis – who had the simple task of passing the ball into the net.

Setchell's men looked shell-shocked. And they deserved to be behind. At least they could only improve. Which they did slightly, with Andy Hall, George Thomson, Quigley and Phil Gulliver threatening the visitors' goal, albeit with half chances.

But any faint hopes of a comeback looked dead and buried when right-back Ramm was allowed to venture forward, under little to no pressure. He jinked inside a couple of opposing players and unleashed a rasper with his left foot from long range which flew into the top corner. It drew deserved applause. But the defending again was poor.

And the nightmare afternoon continued just after the half-hour when a long ball split the home side's defence, who were all the shop, to release Ramm. He crossed for Marriott. And despite the best efforts of Gay, he made it four.

It could have been an embarrassing five when marauding full-back Ramm found himself in the box – again. With all the space in the world, not for the first time, he fired an attempt at goal but couldn't get the better of an all-too-often exposed Gay.

At the other end, Valter Fernandes raised some cheers with a fine long-range effort which was tipped over by the previously untroubled Zac Barrett. But the home faithful's agony soon continued when the brilliant Bacon – who rang rings around Gulliver and Jason Lee – centred for Dawkin. This time it was he who was left unmarked, on the Linnets' right side, but the Cambridge man could only stab wide.

The half-time whistle blew and, for once, deserved boos rung out. Lynn had been nothing short of a shambles. As D:Ream sung, Things Could Only Get Better.

The men in yellow must have been on the end of a rocket as they trudged out very early for the second half. On came Richard Bunting, Duffy, and Gary Mills. Off come Gulliver, Thomson and Hall.

A small, small, small slither of hope was restored when Quigley's goal-bound drive struck substitute Joey Abbs' outstretched arm and the man in the middle pointed to the spot. Up stepped Duffy to cooly slot home his second penalty this week and his fourth goal in three substitute appearances.

Bunting, Duffy and Jacob all went close to a second as the improved hosts search for a way back into the game. But when they didn't find it, Quigley's frustrations boiled over and he was given a second booking for dissent – although he could have been carded for persistent fouling.

At least he didn't have to see the visitors' fifth – which was Gay's fault. He spilled Abbs' cross straight at the feet of Beasant and he prodded home.

It was an embarrassing end to an embarrassing afternoon as Cambridge departed Norfolk with their name in the hat for the second qualifying round.

Lynn (4-3-3): Gay, Fernandes, Gulliver (Mills, 46), Lee, Yong, Spriggs, Clarke, Quigley, Thomson (Bunting, 46), Hall (Duffy, 46), Jacob. Subs not used: Stewart, Fryatt. Booked: Jacob, Mills. Sent off: Quigley (two yellows). Goal: Duffy (pen, 49)

City (4-4-2): Barrett, Ramm, Brighton, Lawton, Chaffey, Farrell, Lewis (Abbs, 46), Beech, Marriott (Prada, 74), Bacon (Beasant, 57), Dawkin. Subs not used: Allen, Midgley, Ordonoz. Booked: Farrell. Goals: Bacon (7), Lewis (11), Ramm (27), Marriott (35), Beasant (77)

Referee: P. Evans

Attendance: 705