Smooth passage for Saints this time

Having survived a scare in Saturday’s third qualifying round tie at the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League outfit, where Alex Gudger kept Saints in it with a stoppage-time equaliser, Kevin Wilkin’s side were in no mood to be hanging around for extra-time in Tuesday’s replay at a freezing St James Park.

Saints cruised to a 3-1 victory after establishing a 3-0 advantage through first half goals from David Moyo and Matt Lowe plus a second half penalty from Steve Diggin before Adam Baskerville, who gave Mickleover the lead in stoppage-time on Saturday, grabbed a late consolation for the visitors.

Glenn Walker and FA Cup hat-trick hero James Armson were not risked by Wilkin for the replay with Saturday’s second round trip to Blackpool coming up. But Saints still had too much for Mickelover second time around to book their place in the next round.

Ellis Myles fired over and Adam Walker went close before he provided the 25th minute cross for Moyo to head Saints in front. Within a minute Saints had doubled their advantage and taken full control of the tie when Lowe created space before firing home from the edge of the box.

Walker went close with a free-kick on the half-hour mark but Saints had wait until the 58th minute to increase their lead. Moyo was impeded in the box and Diggin converted the ensuing spot-kick.

Substitute David Pitt hit the woodwork moments after replacing Diggin while Gudger headed wide from a Myles’ cross. Pitt went close again before Baskerville reduced the arrears in the 89th minute from the penalty spot.