LANCASTER City moved into the third qualifying round of this season's FA Cup but had to dig deep against minnows Esh Winning.

The Dolly Blues were in cruise control during an embarrassingly one-sided first half. But their failure to kill the Northern League outfit off almost cost them dear and in the end boss Phil Wilson was just happy to be in the hat for the next round.

There is no doubt City will have to perform better against Kings Lynn at the Giant Axe on Saturday week although the visitors must be wondering how they have finished up landing a long trip to Lancaster when they are supposed to be in the South and Midlands section of the draw!

Wilson's men looked set for a stroll when Peter Thomson lashed home from close range after just nine minutes following good work from Ryan Zico Black.

Black turned the defence inside out before crashing a shot against the post leaving Thomson with the sort of chance any striker thrives on to net his first goal of the season.

And when Black made it 2-0 after more impressive trickery, Esh Winning looked more like ashen-faced losers.

Even when they grabbed a goal back through Andy Cumberson few people in the ground believed there to be any threat.

And those thoughts were re-enforced when Steve Jones stunningly crashed home City's third following good work from Chris Beech.

A mere 31 minutes were had elapsed at this stage.

City coasted through to the interval but after the break they looked a different side. Casual, second to the ball and suddenly in danger as Esh, without really stepping their game up, started to take control.

Ryan Yeomans made a couple of smart saves as City defended deeper and deeper but the goalkeeper was powerless to prevent rotund substitute David Mawson making it 3-2 with 16 minutes left on the clock.

The Durham outfit pushed forward but Jamie Murphy and Paul Sparrow finally found their form to stay strong, while Neil Prince could have made it 4-2 near the end but his shot flew over the bar.