NORTHWICH Victoria will have a second chance to eliminate Prestwich Heys from the FA Vase after the two teams could not be separated on Saturday.

And they’ll hope goalkeeper Michael Smith doesn’t have another blinder when they meet in a midweek replay at Wincham Park.

He had to be at his best to keep the lower-ranked hosts in the competition, although Vics will feel rueful too after Joel Brownhill’s penalty hit the underside of the crossbar in the second half.

Both sides know a prize for victory on Wednesday is home advantage in a third-round encounter with Silsden, who were too good for Bedlington Terriers.

Dominic Craig’s effort flashed wide during the early exchanges, while at the other end Chris Baguley’s shot did the same.

Steve Wilkes’ side posed more of an attacking threat, and Billy Whittle failed to find the target with a free-header before Smith held Rob Doran’s strike.

Baguley fired high shortly after the interval while at the other end Kirtis Monson’s cut-back didn’t get the touch it required to break the deadlock.

Instead Vics’ best chance fell to Brownhill after Smith was judged to have committed a foul – the only blemish on his copybook – inside the penalty area.

However the forward’s spot-kick struck the woodwork.

Prestwich pushed forward during the first-half in extra time, although Northwich goalkeeper Danny Taberner was untroubled other than fielding Baguley’s driven free-kick.

Whittle blazed over from Joe Camozzi’s pass when he ought to have scored for Vics.

Instead Smith kept the scores level in the second part of the added half-hour when he stretched to claw clear substitute Matty Clarke’s effort.

Prestwich | Smith (GK), Photiou, Holt, White, Ayres, Wood, Pickering (Itela 63), Jamie Baguley (Waburton 80), Icely, Chris Baguley, Wilson-Heyes Subs not used Fitton, Jakovlevs, Grimshaw

Vics | Taberner (GK), Camozzi, Monson, Craig (Whyte 68), Kenny (Fitzgerald 115), Barski, Whittle (Clarke 100), Cooke, Matthews (Pilgrim 119), Brownhill, Doran Sub not used Shinks

Attendance 182