Brigg Town 2 - Kendal Town 4.

KENDAL Town's rich vein of early season form continued on Saturday as they successfully negotiated a tricky tie in the preliminary round of the FA Cup at Brigg Town.

Their 4-2 victory secures a first qualifying round home tie with fellow UniBond League First Division pace-setters North Ferriby.

It was a double strike from recalled midfielder Kyle Hayton early in the first half which appeared to have put Kendalon the way to a comfortable victory, only for the home side to stage a gutsy second half rally, which almost saw them stand the tie on its head.

Only four minutes had been played when Hayton's well-measured volley flew past Brigg goalkeeper Steve Curry and the welcome advantage was doubled in the 16th minute when Hayton walked the ball into an empty net after Curry had failed to deal with a floating free-kick from James Shepherd.

In reply the Lincolnshire side, who last season embarked on a successful FA Cup run which only ended with a 4-1 defeat by Tranmere Rovers in the first round proper, hit back with a near miss from Lee Borman.

Just before the interval centre-half Danny Hope headed in, but a goal was ruled out because of an infringement in the area.

The hosts quickly imposed themselves after the break and they had looked dangerous on several occasions before Jamie Sherlock headed past Kendal keeper Lee Ward in the 63rd minute.

Lifted by the breakthrough Brigg continued to push forward and three minutes later midfielder Craig Stones levelled the tie at 2-2, with Kendal well and truly on the back foot.

Four minutes after that unfortunate Brigg defender David Blanchard handed the initiative back to Kendal, however, when a mix-up between him and keeper Curry saw him head needlessly into his own goal.

The lucky break put Peter Smith's men back into the driving seat and on 73 minutes dangerous winger James Shepherd seized the opportunity to put the game beyond the thoroughly deflated Brigg team when he produced the perfect finish to a well-worked counter attack for Kendal to run out 4-2 winners.