Winterton’s run in the FA Cup came shuddering to a halt at West Street on Saturday at the hands of Unibond Premier Side Kendal Town. And although the score suggests whitewash the first half was anything but.

Rangers created the first attempt on goal when Mark Whitehouse stretched his legs with a run on the left before cutting in and laying a ball into Andy Catton's feet at the edge of the box, his shot was parried away by Kendal keeper Ben Hinchcliffe (on loan from Preston) on 4mins. It was a good start; Rangers even had a good call for a penalty two minutes before when Northen was clearly pushed over when on the ball in the box.

Kendal tested Rangers defence with long balls early on. One such ball got beyond Green on the right, the first time ball into the box was initially mis-kicked by Foster before the ball fell to ex-Mariner Lee Ashcroft whose finish was clinical. 0-1. 8mins.

A minute later Kendal could have made it two when a similar move saw Rangers skipper slip allowing Ashcroft a shooting chance but Ben Simpson stood up well to make a great save.

Although Rangers were competing, Kendal’s movement in attack was impressive and stretched Winterton. Ben Simpson, who has grown in stature as the season has progressed, made another good save on 17 mins. when Rushton and Ashcroft combined to create a shooting chance.

As the game reached the 20 min. mark Rangers were finding their feet. Danny Clarke did well on the edge of the box before crossing to the far where Holt climbed well to head down towards Northen, whose bicycle kick was pushed away. On 21mins.

Then when an attack broke down, Ross Haywood curled in a cross/shot from the left that had the Kendal keeper scrambling back to tip over. 23mins. Then a sting of corners as Rangers pegged back the visitors.

On 25 mins. Rob Northen latched onto a blocked shot but couldn’t find his feet properly but still managed a shot from 8 yards that was scrambled away. A minute later another corner into the centre had Luke Smithson flick his header just over the angle with Hinchcliffe scrambling.

Kendal were struggling to pick up Catton and Whitehouse when they cut inside to link with the Rangers front pair and it seemed only a matter of time before Rangers grabbed an equaliser. On 27mins. Whitehouse ran at the box before feeding Andy Catton who jinxed his way to the by-line before lifting a ball to the far post where Whitehouse was free, but his shot skewed well wide.

It was a pulsating half that saw chances at both ends, Simpson made two more great saves on 28mins then on 31mins when a deep cross into the rangers box had Smithson head out only for a fierce drive to stretch Simpson with a save to his right.

On 32 Kendal should have made it two, when given time to cross on the left into the box but Foster sliced his shot wide with only Simpson to beat. Two minutes later Rangers were cut open when a ball through had Kendal racing goal wards from a position Winterton felt was offside, the ball across the face to Rushton again saw Simpson stand up well to save with his feet.

Then Winterton battled back. A free-kick on the edge of the box was lifted into the box by Clarke, Holt rose well but his downward header just didn’t have enough on it to beat the Impressive Hinchcliffe. And another great chance went begging.

As the half came to a close, another free kick was awarded on the edge of the Kendal box. Mark Whitehouse curled the dead-ball up and over the wall forcing a great save again from Hinchcliffe.

Then in injury time Rangers received a bitter blow. Kendal created another good move, running a t the box before shooting wide with Robinson stretching to block away. Everyone in the ground thought goal kick and a good half of football. But Referee D. Street from Normanton thought differently awarding Kendal a penalty??????????? Winterton were at first non plussed, and then outraged. Ranger’s skipper was booked for asking the question. It was a terrible decision; nobody else in the ground saw anything untoward in the challenge. Lee Ashcroft converted the spot kick. 0-2

In reality it was a killer blow to Winterton’s chances.

HALF-TIME 0-2

Rangers looked deflated as they trooped out for the second half and Kendal seized upon it. The half was only seconds old when Simpson again saved well with his legs, after a cross from the left was half-volleyed goalwards.

Then a Rangers attack had Clarke get a head of his marker and into the box but as he slowed to adjust his feet he was clearly pushed over the ball in the box, Mr Street waved away the appeal. The ball was lofted downfield where Rushton fired home to make it three. 0-3 47mins

Two minutes later and it was four. A good ball between Green and Smithson saw Foster race towards goal and fire a low shot that Simpson blocked away with his legs only for it to fall to Rushton who tapped the ball into the empty net. 0-4

Rangers had suffered a terrible 6 minutes of football inflicted by poor refereeing and in truth poor concentration after the break. There was only pride t play for.

The second half wasn’t the event the first had been, Kendal relaxed somewhat, both sides made changes and both sides had chances. Northen had a two or three as he still looks for his first goal min open play, but Hinchcliffe was rock solid in the Kendal goal.

Kendal made it 0-5 on 74mins. When a cross from the right looked an easy catch for Simpson but he let it slip through his hands, gifting Ashcroft his hat-trick. It was a shame fro the young Winterton keeper, who had been outstanding all game.

Then into injury time the referee did little to endear him the Rangers faithful when a Kendal player ran at the box. Robinson made a tired lunge that tripped the attacker; an obvious foul but at this late stage Mr Street showed a second yellow and Rangers were down to ten men. The dead ball was curled up and over the wall and bounced onto the angle.

FINAL SCORE 0-5

The final score depicts a caning for Winterton but in truth Rangers came out of the game with a lot of credit. Rangers felt very hard done to by the referee and disappointed not to have converted during their purple patch in the first half.

There is little doubt the best side won but the margin doesn’t reflect the game where both keepers were outstanding.  In truth the penalty decision at the end of the first half was the killer blow for Rangers.