Nelson power into third round of FA Vase and Macron Cup

Nelson FC made it two cup wins in four days with a 4-1 victory over Parkgate at Daisy Arena in the FA Vase, writes HARRY MANNING

Saturday's second-round win followed a 5-2 victory at Holker Old Boys in the Macron Cup and manager Arron Ripley made just one change to the team that won in Cumbria, Richie Baker coming in for Will Ludlow-Foster.

Rotherham club Parkgate play at the same level as Nelson but are struggling in the North East Counties premier division.

The first chances fell to Nelson as Luke Hepple’s shot landed on the roof of the net after two minutes and a Sefton Gonzales effort cleared the bar.

Nelson's Chris Thompson made the first save of the afternoon, diving to deny Jamie Purkiss' 20-yard shot after a quick counter.

Thompson's opposite number Sam Riches comfortably dealt with another Hepple shot after a defence-splitting pass from Jamie Edwards.

Nelson weren't making their domination of possession count as Ross Dent flashed a shot across goal and a Gonzales header from Andy Hill's cross was held by Riches.

Riches was at fault for the breakthrough goal on 35 minutes, misjudging a high cross from the left and gifting Edwards a tap into an empty net. Hepple had a further chance but it remained 1-0 until half-time.

Nelson doubled their lead on 48 minutes, when Riches punched clear only as far as Hill and he volleyed home.

Two minutes later it was 3-0, Hill chipping over the defence for Gonzales to fire into the top corner.

Riches tipped a Gonzales header against a post but the striker did score his second on 66 minutes, a penalty after Alex Green was brought down by Purkiss.

The Steelmen pulled one back three minutes later, when Cameron Lancaster conceded a free-kick which Joshua Nodder curled home left-footed.

Nelson then saw out an impressive win and will host County Durham club Shildon, also from their level in the Northern League, in the third round on November 28.

A week earlier they will visit Flixton at the same stage of the NW Counties League's Macron Cup following the win at Holker, who ended Wednesday's match with nine men.

The first division north hosts took the lead 11 minutes into a tie which had been abandoned four days earlier with Nelson 3-1 up in the second half.

Goals by Gonzalez (34 minutes) and Andrew Foster (42) turned the rematch around and the Barrow side had Ryan Fagan sent off before half-time.

William Ludlow-Foster increased the lead early in the second half and a 67th-minute own goal appeared to have sealed Nelson's win at 4-1.

Holker quickly pulled one back with a penalty only for scorer Jamie Hodgson to be dismissed soon afterwards and Hepple netted Nelson's fifth in the last minute.

It's third v fifth in the premier division this Saturday, when Nelson return to league action at home to Trafford.