JIM Gannon, the Northwich Victoria manager, has warned his players against losing focus ahead of Monday’s derby encounter with Witton.

Vics progressed to the next stage of the FA Cup against lower-ranked opponents, but endured a nervy finale after conceding twice in the closing stages.

“Tiredness isn’t an excuse as late goals we’ve let in during our past two matches have been down to our own poor play,” said Gannon.

“Going forward we need to show greater mental strength to ensure we see games out.”

Northwich were on course to cruise through after establishing a 3-0 lead at Pavilions.

They edged ahead before the interval when Richie Bennett converted Alex Byrne’s cross from the right.

And Bennett doubled the visitors’ lead early in the second period, scoring at the second attempt after goalkeeper Daniel Lever had parried his initial attempt.

At the other end, stand-in custodian Dane Smith blocked James McShane’s fiercely-hit shot.

When Michael Roddy claimed Vics’ third, a rising shot into the top corner, the tie appeared over.

Runcorn, without a win in the North West Counties League this season, rallied though.

Paul Shanley curved in after cutting in from the left, then substitute Alex McPolin lobbed a second after reaching a long through-ball.

Fellow replacement Curtis Cummins almost forced a replay, only for his drive to hit an upright.

Gannon added: “Runcorn deserve credit; they fought their way back into the game and dominated the final quarter of an hour.

“We’ve a lot of work to do on the training ground, but that will have to wait.”

Vics will host AFC Blackpool, league rivals of Runcorn, in the first qualifying round.

Vics | Smith (GK), Byrne, Ali, Clarke, Krou, Ball, Cook (Todd 88), Roddy, Amis (Williams 69), Howard, Bennett (Mendez 90) Subs not used McCoy (GK), Welsby, Woolfe Goals Bennett 42, 50 Roddy 63 Booked Krou

Attendance 82