OLIVER Wood's brace and an injury-time strike by Paul Dugdale eased Kendal Town into the next qualifying round of the FA Trophy after they defeated Evostik Premier Division Side Skelmersdale United 3-1.

The Mintcakes who have notoriously struggled against Skelmersdale in previous years dominated this encounter against a side that sit bottom of the Premier Division.

Kendal got off to a bad start though and were behind in the eighth minute after Max Hazeldine touched the ball home at the near post after getting in front of the Town defence from close range.

However Kendal responded and were level after 17 minutes when a ball in from the right hand side by Sam Bailey found the feet of Wood who outpaced the Skem defence before the former Burnley United marksman slotted the ball home past the keeper.

The equaliser saw Kendal press Skelmersdale back with Tom Kilifin and Danny Forbes going close, before skipper Stu McDonald headed the ball wide from close range.

Skelmersdale's main threat came from Tom Ince who forced Will Kitchen into a save before the number nine fired wide of the right hand post just before half time.

Kendal started the second half well and had good periods of possession however the Mintcakes were indebted to Kitchen who made a spectacular save to deny Ince whose effort on goal was palmed away for a corner.

The save proved crucial as Kendal went 2-1 in front after Wood cut inside and floated the ball over the keeper from distance.

Kendal could have added to their advantage through Forbes, Wood, Charlie Bowman and Sam Bailey who rattled the cross bar.

Skelmersdale had a half chance through second half substitute Chris Almond who toe poked the ball wide, however Kendal sealed the win in injury time after a quick counter attack left Paul Dugdale to roll the ball into the empty net as the Mintcakes celebrated.