Kendal Town 4, Eccleshill 1.

Kendal cleared the first FA Cup hurdle despite an atrocious refereeing error which wrongly reduced them to 10 men for much of the second half.

The North East Counties League side had little to offer, but effort and it was no great surprise that Town reached half-time 2-0 up, Dene Whittal-William netting a header on 37 minutes and Kenny Mayers smashing in a through ball from Russ McKenna a couple of minutes later.

It looked like a springboard for a big score in this FA Cup preliminary round encounter, but five minutes after half-time a rare Ecceshill attack saw a shot rebound from the cross bar to be palmed clear by keeper Mark Thornley.

Unfortunately the referee ruled that it was centre back Nigel Taylor who had handled the ball And he was red carded despite appeals from outraged Town players.

Ecceleshill's Scott Price slammed in the resulting penalty and for a moment there were fears that Town would crumble.

No such thing utility player Whittal-Williams dropped back to fill the gap left by Taylor's departure and ten-man Town then produced 40 minutes of quality passing football.

On 70 minutes manager Tony Hesketh brought on Chris Bennett in place of tiring James Sheppard and three minutes later the winger wormed his way into the Ecceshill box and squared the ball across goal for McKenna to apply the finishing touch.

With Town in total control in defence and midfield 3-1 would have been enough, but there was to be a final twist.

In added time Peter Smith, who had worked tirelessly down the right wing was clumsily floored in the penalty area by Gary Tyson, who was prompty sent off for a second yellow card.

Mayers belted the spot kick to the right and although keeper Craig Bates got a hand to it he could only divert it into then top corner.

Victory brings Town a qualifying round meeting with UniBond League Premier Division side Prescott Cables but, more immediately gives them fresh heart for Tuesday night's away trip to Woodley Sports.