Hardly were beaten again, going down by six goals to one against PSV Hangover.
PSV sit second in the league and have been on a promotion mission this season and comfortably brushed aside the challenge of Hardly, who had another frustrating night.
After keeper Paul Dale pulled out just before kick off, the services of unwell Matthew Peart were called upon to go in goal, and even though he is not a keeper he did well.
Dan Middleton started in his first appearance for seven months after a knee injury and he gave his best performance for the club, pressurising the opposition when in defence and passing the ball around well when in possession, whilst also netting the sides only goal.
After a couple of early warning shots were blocked by Peart the first goal went in five minutes before half time, and was quickly followed by a second and third as PSV threatened to run riot against a down hearted Athletic.
Hardly regrouped at half time and played a more open, positive game after the break, and aswell as bagging a goal, when Middleton found the top corner from the edge of the box, they also forced the opposition keeper into three top saves with Young running the show in the midfield.
PSV were on the back foot and took to time wasting as they utilised the pass back rule to keep knocking the ball back to the keeper, after standing on the edge of the area with the ball waiting for a Hardly player to close them down.
The title hopefuls did manage to grab two late goals after Hardly pushed well up the pitch in the hope of getting the two late strikes themselves that would have tied the scores up.