KENDAL Town progressed into the second qualifying round of The FA Trophy after a hard-fought 2-1 win against Radcliffe Borough at The Pye Motors Stadium.

First half goals by Rick Seear and Anthony Lynch saw Kendal go 2-0 up at the break. Carl Peers' goal twelve minutes into the second half set up a nervy last half hour, but the Mintcakes held out to book their place in the next round.

Kendal went into the game on the back of an impressive 2-0 midweek win at Skelmersdale United, however, they faced a Radcliffe side that had defeated the Mintcakes in the league fixture last weekend.

The Mintcakes made a positive start to the game as Charlie Bowman and Seear began to cause the visitors problems.

Radcliffe created the first opportunity when Peers headed the ball into the arms of Will Kitchen after getting onto the end of a pin point cross by James Hooper.

The visitors continued to apply pressure as Hooper’s shot from distance went past the post, while Peers fired the ball into the arms of Kitchen.

However, Kendal saw off the danger and began to retain the ball on a heavy pitch, before both Danny McGahon and Seear saw efforts go over the bar.

Kendal opened the scoring after 33 minutes when a whipped ball into the penalty area was headed home at the back post by Seear.

The hosts scored again moments later after a mix up in defence allowed Matt Clarke to make an unopposed run against visiting goalkeeper Ryan Jones, before the former Kendal County player squared the ball across to Anthony Lynch who tapped home from close range.

Kendal were denied a third goal at the start of the second half as Bowman’s powerful attempt was parried over the bar by Jones.

The rest of the second half saw Radcliffe dominate as they created many opportunities that were either saved by Kitchen or cleared by the Kendal defence.

However, Radcliffe pulled a goal back after 56 minutes when Akil Crier ran past two Kendal defenders before placing the ball across the penalty area into the path of Peers who tapped home from close range

More chances followed, and Callum Grogan's header forced a smart save from Kitchen before Peers fired wide.

The visitors kept pressing for the equaliser but Kendal defended well and saw the game out as they progressed into the next round of the FA Trophy.

Kendal travel to Brighouse Town on Saturday in the league before entertaining Lancaster City on Tuesday night in The Integro League Cup.

Kendal Town line up: 1, Kitchen, 2, Aspin, 3, Thomas, 4, Dawson, 5, Alexander, 6, McDonald (C), 7, McGahon, 8, Lynch, 9, Seear, 10, Bowman, 11, Clarke.

Substitutes: 12, Gaul, 14, Hoctor, 15, Rothwell, 16, Wardle, GK, Morris