Hardly Athletic's cup campaign took another blow as they lost their third group stage match, severely denting their finals day qualification hopes.
Hardly welcomed back Matt Young, Joe Gordon, Adam Machin and Paul Dale with Andy McEvoy, Dan Hallam and Scott Salmon dropping out as Athletic aimed to repeat their last victory, a 3-2 win over last seasons league champions Eaton Park on the last day of last season.
The game started with both sides forcing saves from the keepers and it was fairly even right through to half time, just one goal in it at the break after Cope's precise finish, following a great through ball from Young, sandwiched two powerfully struck goals by Eaton, that left Dale with no chance in goals for Athletic.
In all truth Hardly should have been in front after Machin rounded the keeper but skied his finish and then Athletic missed another sitter when the keeper spilled a shot buit the rebound was put wide of the goal.
Two became three straight from the kick off when Cope was caught in possession and quick interchange left a man over, who made no mistake in smashing in a shot, off the underside of the crossbar, at the near post.
A magnificent save from the Park keeper kept out Cope, the man in nets somehow changing direction to claw away the effort, before Hardly were denied a blatant free kick when Buxton was clipped when clean through on goal, the referee giving advantage after Buxton toe'd the ball away on his way to the ground, an interesting decision at the very least!
The scoring was rounded off towards the end when a quick counter, after sustained pressure from Hardly, saw three attackers on two defenders and the man over was able to take advantage and slot the ball into the net to secure the victory, and the points, for Eaton Park.