NORTHWICH Victoria were beaten but can take credit for making 1874 Northwich take a longer route to the next stage.

In the end first-half goals from Adam Whitlock and Kazim Waite-Jackson were more than enough, and the elation Vics felt after fighting back on Saturday made way for a sombre realisation of the task ahead.

1874 were better in every way, and this time they were in no mood to give up a lead once they edged in front.

Put simply, they breezed through.

The margin of victory might have been wider had it not been for goalkeeper Richie Mottram, whose display is made even more impressive by the fact he played with a cracked bone in his wrist – an injury he sustained while making a save at the weekend.

Even he was a spectator when Whitlock jabbed high, while stretching, after meeting Scott McGowan’s cross inside the six-yard box after nine minutes.

The youngster then teed up Taylor Kennerley after picking the pocket of full-back Rico Bernard, but his fellow wide-man dragged his attempt wide.

The duo swapped roles for 1874’s opener, Whitlock slamming in at the far post after Kennerley had drilled low across the face of goal.

Vics had gone through three right-backs at the weekend and a fourth, Adam Lawrence, looked even less assured against the speed of both wide players.

Their hosts spotted a weakness, and exploited it for the duration.

From another raid down that side, Lee Jackson played in McGowan.

However Mottram raced from his line, a pink blur with arms aloft, to smother the striker’s shot.

Jake Parker, discreet on his debut, then ghosted into the same space behind Lawrence only for his effort to be blocked.

A second goal arrived from nowhere on 36 minutes.

Waite-Jackson’s reaction was instinctive when the ball dropped invitingly into his path 25 yards from goal.

Without pausing, the teenage midfielder flashed a perfectly-timed shot into the bottom corner before Mottram could muster a response.

The pace dropped significantly in the second half, and Vics could not increase it in the way they had in the first meeting.

Sam Marshall had a sight of goal, but his rising shot was straight at 1874 custodian Greg Hall.

Paul Moore sent on Jordan Cobley, a goal-scoring hero at the weekend, in an attempt to provide the spark he had then.

However a defence marshalled expertly by Danny Meadowcroft in the absence of Danny Thomas, ruled out by a knee injury sustained in the first meeting, barely noticed.

Instead the hosts ought to have added to their lead when Whitlock’s drive rapped an upright from another Kennerley assist.

McGowan could not hit the target when he shot on the run, while substitute Clevon Beadle – on for the tireless Whitlock – prompted Mottram to block with a boot in the dying seconds.

1874 will have to perform better against West Didsbury & Chorlton in the next round, but there is encouragement in winning so convincingly with Thomas, Joe Woolley, Mark Jones and Ryan Jackson – all nursing injuries – sat watching in the stand.

1874 | 4-3-3 | Hall (GK), Connor, Meadowcroft, Pritchard, Lee Jackson, Parker, Matthew Woolley, Waite-Jackson (Lever 74), Whitlock (Beadle 86), McGowan (Riley 79), Kennerley Subs not used Woods, Clayton, Spencer (GK) Goals Whitlock 21, Waite-Jackson 36 Booked Parker, Whitlock, Matthew Woolley, Waite-Jackson (all fouls)

Vics | 4-4-2 | Mottram (GK), Lawrence, Willis, Lyndon, Bernard (Kavanagh 81), Stuart McDonald, Berrisford (Shaw 46), Bennett, Marshall, Walker (Cobley 60), Matthews Subs not used McDonnell, Gittins, Oppong, Boumba Booked Lawrence, Marshall, Willis, Shaw, Lyndon

Referee Daniel Issawi

Attendance 429