THEY needed a helping hand, literally in hapless goalkeeper Josh Broadbent’s case, but Northwich Victoria progressed in the FA Cup at Hyde’s expense on Saturday.

The Tigers’ stand-in custodian, at fault for Vics’ first-half opener, fumbled skipper Shane Killock’s looping header into his own net with six minutes left.

It was a gift for Jim Gannon’s men, forced to replay the second qualifying round clash as part of a punishment for playing on-loan goalkeeper Mason Springthorpe in the original meeting when he was not registered.

Their reward is a head-to-head with Marine, rivals of Hyde in the Northern Premier League’s top flight, tomorrow night, Tuesday.

Liam Davies had fluffed a chance for the hosts before Richie Bennett, quick to react after Broadbent had spilled Brian Summerskill’s long pass, steered in from an angle on 12 minutes.

Scott Spencer restored parity for Hyde after half an hour, arcing a free kick over Vics’ defensive wall and out of the reach of net-minder Dane Smith.

Andy Pearson scuffed a tame effort into Smith’s hands from close range before the break, while Cedric Krou timed perfectly a tackle to thwart Davies in shooting stride.

Broadbent’s contribution was more convincing on 63 minutes, when he tipped Summerskill’s drive around an upright after the midfielder had intercepted substitute Ryan Ellison’s sloppy pass.

Michael Roddy and Jordan Williams both fired wide, while Ayrton Bevins’ header at the other end lacked the force to worry Smith.

The game’s decisive moment followed on 84 minutes, when Killock diverted skywards Williams’ cross from the left.

But when it dropped Broadbent, with Vics replacement Bobby Langford closing in, helped it over the goal-line.

Spencer had Hyde’s best chance to force extra time, but he dragged an attempt off-target after wriggling through a series of challenges.

Hyde | Broadbent (GK), Burke (Ellison 55), Neville, Harris, Killock, Fitton (Jago 77), Bevins, Spencer, Davies (Boyle 82), Gray Sub not used Khamsuk Goal Spencer 30 Booked Burke

Vics | Smith (GK), Byrne, Duxbury, Krou, Michael Clarke, Astles, Sanogo (Amis 55), Bennett (Langford 70), Summerskill (Welsby 86), Williams Subs not used McCoy (GK), Matty Clarke, Howard Goals Bennett 12, Broadbent 84 (own goal) Booked Sanogo, Bennett

Referee Simeon Lucas

Attendance 374