NORTHWICH Victoria saw off a spirited recovery from Cheadle Town in the second-half to reach the Macron Cup last eight.

Steve Wilkes’ side were superior to their lower-ranked guests before the break and Brian Matthews’ volley from Harvey Whyte’s cross deflected onto a post.

Brad Cooke was unlucky too when his free-kick rattled an upright.

A breakthrough arrived on 33 minutes when Darrhyl Mason, a former Town player, ran clear before slotting a neat finish out of goalkeeper Danny Whiting’s reach.

The visitors went closest to scoring when Ollie Hat-field Banton met Ben Christopher’s free-kick with an overhead effort that struck the crossbar.

Vics increased their lead on 59 minutes when Whyte headed with power past Whiting at the near post from a corner.

Cheadle rallied though and Rhys Clooney drilled in to halve their arrears.

They scored again, making it 2-2, when Joe Neild converted a penalty by sending Northwich custodian Danny Taberner the wrong way.

Vics accelerated towards the finish after a defender failed to intercept a pass and Joel Brownhill remained calm before sliding the ball past Whiting.

Wilkes sent on Rob Doran in place of Matthews and the substitute put his side out of reach with five minutes left when his shot found the net via an upright.

He completed the scoring too in added time after cutting inside from the left and firing forcefully inside a post from an angle.

Vics will travel to Premier Division rivals City of Liverpool at the next stage.

Vics | Taberner (GK), Camozzi, Barski, Fitzgerald, McNally, Whyte (Clarke 86), Cooke, Craig (Whittle 81), Brownhill , Matthews (Doran 71), Mason Subs not used Kenny, Cottam (GK) Goals Mason 38, Whyte 59, Brownhill 71, Doran 85, 90 (+2)

Cheadle | Whiting (GK), Neild, Wallis (Ratican 79), Russell, Hatfield-Banton, Huynh, Ntalu, Christopher, Clooney (Magida 64), Naughton, Brooks Subs not used Rogers, Dunn, Morris (GK) Goals Clooney 62, Neild 64 (penalty)

Attendance 81