KENDAL Town bowed out of the FA Trophy despite a defiant performance at Conference North side Worcester City.
Tony Hesketh's UniBond First Division side performed admirably despite being put under pressure by an in-form side eagerly awaiting Sunday's visit of Huddersfield Town in the second round of the FA Cup.
Kendal goalkeeper James Salisbury, who is attracting the attention of several Football league clubs, was outstanding as he pulled off a string of fine saves throughout a busy 90 minutes for the former Wigan Athletic keeper.
In the end it was Adam Webster's 68th-minute header which put Worcester through to the next round, the goal arriving at a time when Kendal appeared to have successfully weathered the storm and were on course to force a replay.
Liam McDonald and Leon Kelly were on target early doors for the home side, with Salisbury saving on each occasion.
There was more concern for Town minutes later. Webster struck the underside of the crossbar, but the rebound was scrambled to safety.
Town's first chance fell to Lee Ashcroft who turned neatly only to see his low drive tipped round the post by keeper Danny McDonnell.
Salisbury then made an acrobatic save to keep out another Webster effort to ensure that Kendal survived unscathed to the break.
Star man Salisbury was in the thick of things at the strat of the second half with further quality denials from the troublesome Webster and Justin Thompson.
Pressure told, however, and midway through the second half full-back Lee Hines whipped in a centre which Webster converted with a looping header over a slightly hesitant Salisbury.
Kendal almost saved the tie in the closing stages when they created two goal-scoring chances.
Ashcroft's driving header soared narrowly over before Ian Kilford's low shot was only just palmed away by McDonnell.
n TUESDAY night's UniBond League Cup first round match at Clitheroe was abandoned after 20 minutes.
When Town arrived the Strawbridge ground was white and rock hard, but both managers wanted to play and the referee agreed to give it a go.
Clitheroe took a 1-0 lead after only two minutes when Gareth Evan's cross-cum-shot was palmed away by James Salisbury only as far as Paul Roger who finished from close range.
As players increasingly struggled to keep upright in the icy conditions the referee decided to call it a day.
The match has now been rescheduled for Tuesday, December 13.
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