Thornaby manager Neal Granycome refused to blame his players after they were beaten 2-1 at Leek Town in the third qualifying round of the FA Cup on Saturday.
Thornaby were on course for a shock victory when they led 1-0, but the UniBond Premier Division side fought back in the last 15 minutes.
Granycome said: "It was disappointing because we had the game by the scruff of the neck and Leek were beginning to panic.
"But it was a very creditable performance by us. There was no difference in class, and we certainly didn't let ourselves down. There wasn't much in it at all."
There weren't many chances in the first half, but Thornaby broke the deadlock after 63 minutes when Richie Storr scored with a looping header from a Nicky Mohan free kick.
But Leek were level ten minutes later when Adrian Swan couldn't hold on to a Dave Tickle cross and Dave Whittaker was on hand to prod the loose ball home.
Thornaby, the sole surviving Northern League club, were out of the competition with eight minutes left when Alan Nagington burst clear and beat Swan.
Whitby, who reached the first round proper two seasons ago, are also out after they were beaten 2-1 at Alfreton.
The Conference North side scored after just 45 seconds through Jon Stevenson, then Jason Blunt fired the second after six minutes.
After Scott Nicholson hit the bar, Whitby pulled one back through David McTiernan after the keeper parried a Craig Veart free kick.
Blyth are the only North-East team through after they won 1-0 at Rossendale. Both sides had chances in the first half, but Blyth edged in when Liam Gildea headed in from a Anth Lowther cross.
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