The City skipper went on to grab a second, taking his tally for the season to eight in all competitions, with Alex Hunt and Josh Stones completing the rout.

Scott Lindsey’s men raced ahead when, from kick-off, a long ball forward by Zac Johnson caused confusion in the visitors’ box and, after it fell to Pearce, he drilled a 12-yard half-volley inside Zach Jeacock’s near post.

Pearce added a second in the 13th minute, intercepting a woeful pass by Lee Evans before charging down the left flank, cutting inside the midfielder and bending a 15-yard effort into Zeacock’s top-left corner.

The Cobblers keeper was swiftly substituted having sustained an earlier injury colliding into an upright for Pearce’s first goal.

Hunt made it 3-0 just before the half-hour mark, guiding a side-footed effort inside the far post from 10 yards following Harry Boyes’ low cross from the left.

A right-wing Joe Felix cross was then converted at the far post by sliding substitute Stones.

Defeat represented the seventh straight season that Northampton have exited the FA Cup at the first-round stage.