Kendal Town 1, Bishop Auckland 2.

Bishop Auckland's Mark Sheeran headed a winner during the three minutes of added time to put an end to a lacklustre UniBond League President's Cup match.

It was the fifth time the clubs had tried to stage the first round fixture and fans could be forgiven for thinking that it was not worth the wait.

Kendal were missing suspended captain Kenny Mayers and experienced left side attacker Lee Ashcroft and it showed as the normal cutting edge was absent.

Not that Bishop Auckland, struggling in the UniBond Premier league looked any better and they produced nothing in the first half whereas Ged Smith and Peter Smith, brought in from the right wing to partner David Foster, both had chances to put Town ahead, Town continued to shade the play in the second half and were rewarded in the 70th minute when Foster's skilful control and through ball put Ged Smith clear down the left.

Smith cut into the box and keeper Dale Roberts blocked his shot only for fast following up Ricky Mercer to slam in the rebound.

The lead lasted just three minutes then from a seemingly innocuous situation 20 yards out Damon Robson lobbed the ball over Kendal keeper Mark Thornley for an equaliser.

With neither side making much impression the tie looked bound for extra time when a Bishop Auckland were awarded a free-kick way out on the right and Sheeran's glancing header produced the winner.

Defeat did at least spare Town a largely unwanted journey to Leek Town on Monday for an overdue second round match, giving boss Tony Hesketh time to sort out his side for the visit of Shepshed Dynamo on Saturday for an important UniBond First Division match.