But while it was a disappointing day for Nathan Haslam's side, they can at least take heart from their recent up-turn in results, however they will hope Saturday's reverse doesn't turn into a poor run of form.

David Norris had put Lancaster two goals ahead, one strike in each half, and Town never really looked like threatening Sam Waller's goal.

Town started well, almost taking the lead in the sixth minute when Priestley Griffiths' free-kick forced Waller to spill, but neither Bradley Fewster or Harrison Beeden were able to fire home on the rebound.

The hosts started to get themselves on the front foot, finding the net in the 9th minute through Charlie Bailey, only for him to be penalised for a foul on Beeden before he got his shot away.

Lancaster would get their lead three minutes later, with the Dolly Blues moving the Seasiders around well before Norris headed home from close range with the back-tracking Shane Bland unable to keep the ball out of his goal.

Things could have got worse for Whitby when Lancaster found the net again, this time denied by the offside flag.

Sam Bailey could have added a second from a free-kick, only to find the side netting, before Town should some sign of response when Harry Green struck a dipping shot which Waller didn't deal with convincingly at first.

It would be City, albeit without creating anything clear-cut, before Whitby registered a shot on target in the 73rd minute through substitute Connor Simpson, but his first-time effort on the turn was tame.

But just as Whitby began to show some signs of a fight back, things went from bad to worse as Norris got his and Lancaster's second, firing into the bottom corner from close range following a counter-attack.

Shaun Tuton sent a late effort over the crossbar from a tight angle, but his attempt summed up Town's afternoon as the recently signed striker's shot was never going to trouble Waller.