SKIPPER Warren Beattie saw his first-half penalty saved as Northwich Victoria bagged a late winner to dump Kendal Town out of the FA Trophy at the Preliminary Round stage.

Mintcakes midfielder Craig Carney broke the deadlock after 23 minutes but Beattie missed the chance to double the lead when his spot kick was saved by visiting goalkeeper Tim Deasy.

Kendal were left to rue that miss when four minutes later Godwin Abadaki restored parity.

With a Tuesday night replay looming, there was heartbreak for Kendal when right back Chris Smalley gave Northwich the lead in the final moments.

Manager Michael Stringfellow named an unchanged starting eleven to the team that lost away at Droylsden last Tuesday. Kieran Walmsley slotted into his more familiar position at right-back, as did Ricky Mercer and Beattie into centre-half and central midfield respectively.

It took 12 minutes until the first clear chance of the game presented itself.

Mark Jackson and Carney linked well on the right wing before the latter chipped a cross to the far post to the waiting Rob Wilson but his effort did not trouble former Barrow goalkeeper Deasy.

Bohan Dixon then sent a volley wide for the visitors before Kendal took the lead.

Jackson won a free kick on the far on the right-hand side touchline. Walmsley sent in a deep cross and Carney bundled the ball in at the back stick.

The midfielder almost grabbed his second of the game five minutes later when he latched onto a loose back header but he failed to make any meaningful connection.

The home side had the perfect chance to double the lead after 37 minutes when Nick Rogan was fouled in the box. His nifty footwork saw him weave into the box before being felled by Stuart Cook.

Beattie, celebrating his 28th birthday, picked up the ball but his effort from 12 yards was saved by the outstretched feet of Deasy.

Three minutes later and Northwich were level. Jack Sharratt was released down the left by Burnett. He unselfishly squared the ball to Abadaki who had the simplest of tasks to tap into an empty net from three yards.

On the stroke of half-time Cook had a chance to make amends for the foul that led to the penalty but his header sailed wide of Stewart's goal.

An ambitious 30 yard Beattie strike sandwiched chances for Sharratt and Brian Summerskill before Jackson's quickfire volley flew just wide of the the right-hand post.

Abadaki could have bagged his and Northwich's second when he caught Mercer in possession. One on one with Stewart, his tame side-foot fell straight into the palms of the stopper.

Jeff King then saw his long-range free kick tipped over before Stringfellow introduced Kieran Pickup, Danny Forbes and Tommy Watson in search of a winner.

But it was Northwich who found the decisive goal with just three minutes left on the clock.

Smalley's pass was intended for Gary Burnett but the number 9 failed to get onto the end of the lofted through ball.

But his run across Kendal 'keeper Stewart distracted the former Morecambe man and the ball slipped past him into an empty net.

In stoppage time Rory Winters almost earned Kendal a replay when he stuck a foot out to connect with a Walmsley drive but the ball whistled harmlessly wide.