TO the credit of 1874 Northwich they kept their word.

Co-manager Wayne Goodison promised an attacking outlook that in the end earned a deserved reward of safe passage to the next stage of the FA Cup for the first time in the club’s short history.

A trip to Mossley awaits.

There is stubbornness to accompany the style, and that was encapsulated by the visitors’ response to Tom Bailey’s equaliser shortly after the hour.

Confusion followed initially; a linesman thought the former Northwich striker had strayed offside, only for referee Matthew Scholes to point out that an 1874 boot had deflected goalkeeper Greg Hall’s sliced clearance into the West man’s path.

He continued while others stopped to protest, and clipped in from an acute angle after skipping around his old teammate.

But rather than sulk, 1874 responded by scoring during their opponents’ best spell.

Jake Parker was given the freedom of Chorlton to convert Taylor Kennerley’s quickly-taken free-kick with a neat header, restoring the lead at 2-1.

Caught out, West didn’t react.

There was glee attached to Adam Whitlock’s rifled finish in stoppage time, a flourish to end a swift counter after their North West Counties League rivals had committed men to attack.

West were a man down by then too after Richmond Botchey’s dismissal for a reckless tackle on Paul Connor.

Their response in adversity was a stark contrast to their guests.

Dealt a blow of Scott McGowan being sick and full-back Lee Jackson failing a fitness test, they turned to Kyle Riley and Ben Woods.

Both were admirable stand-ins.

Indeed Riley played a pivotal role in the game’s opening goal on 23 minutes, sending a raking pass from right to left towards Kennerley.

The wide man left full-back Josh Tinker in his wake before squaring low and with pace for Sam Hind to steer in.

Hind had already gone close earlier when his header, from Whitlock’s corner, slammed against a defender.

1874 were more assured, but West finished the half strongly.

Matthew Kay’s luck was out when his rising shot clipped the crossbar after Ben Steer teed him up, while Nic Evangelinos skewed his attempt off-target after Danny Meadowcroft failed to cut out Joe Shaw’s cross.

West picked up after the interval where they had left off, and Hall had to be alert to smother Bailey’s shot after Kay slipped a pass into the striker’s path.

He was not to be denied though, and levelled when the two next came face-to-face.

The hosts sent on Saul Henderson to play alongside their goal-scorer, but a lapse at the other end left them playing catch-up for the remainder.

However unlike Saturday, there was to be no late rally.

West | 4-3-3 | Ashley (GK), Tinker, McGrath, Potts, Botchey, Shaw, Gleave, Kay, Steer (Henderson 69), Bailey, Evangelinos Subs not used Woodward, Poole, Socha, McLennan Goal Bailey 62 Booked McGrath (dissent), Botchey Sent off Botchey (second caution, foul)

1874 | 4-2-3-1 | Hall (GK), Connor, Meadowcroft, Pritchard, Woods, Matthew Woolley, Parker, Whitlock, Hind, Kennerley (Beadle 78), Riley Subs not used Waite-Jackson, Lever, Clayton, Spencer (GK) Goals Hind 23, Parker 75, Whitlock 90 Booked Parker (ungentlemanly conduct), Riley (foul)

Referee Matthew Scholes

Attendance 304