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, for the normal cutting edge was missing.

That being said, Town still dominated most of the match and it was plain to see why Bishop Auckland are struggling in the UniBond Premier League.

In the absence of Mayers, Town boss Tony Hesketh brought Peter Smith in from the right wing to partner regular striker David Foster, which blunted Town's normal strength down the right flank, Nevertheless, Town still managed to force a succession of corners and from one midway through the half Dene Whittal-Williams outjumped the defence, but headed just over and minutes later Ged Smith was even closer when he hit the bar.

Half-time readjustments by Hesketh saw Peter Smith revert to the wing with Ged Smith taking the role of second striker, and the change reaped rewards in the 70th minute when Foster skilful controlled the ball on the turn and placed a perfect through ball to put Ged Smith clear down the left.

Smith cut into the box and although keeper Dale Roberts blocked his shot, the on-rushing Ricky Mercer bundled 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 Bishop Auckland broke away down the right and from a long cross 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.

How they rated: Thornley 6; Rigby 8, Whittal-Williams 7, Taylor 8, McKenna 7; Clitheroe 6 (Bennett 6 from 87 minutes), Mercer 8, Jack 6, G. Smith 7; P. Smith 6; Foster 7.