HARRIERS avoided the FA Cup banana skin at Deeping Rangers on Saturday as they recorded a 4-2 win to make it through to the next round.

Emmanuel Sonupe increased his tally for the season with another brace while Andre Wright and Andre Brown were also on target.

The hosts were barely in the game as an attacking force but netted twice from their three chances on the day to ensure they were never out of sight.

John Eustace was yet again forced to make changes the for the game. As the team’s luckless run with injures and unavailability continued as James McQuilkin was forced to miss out through injury.

There was a new face in the starting eleven as James Pearson, signed on Friday, made a debut from the off while Joe Ironside graduated from bench to starting eleven after his return from injury.

Though Harriers took some time to feel their way into the tie, the 3-0 advantage they held at the break was not an unfair reflection of their dominance in the first 45.

Brown’s goal to open the scoring was another absolute peach from the former Crewe man who found the top corner from 20 yards a little after half an hour.

Sonupe combined beautifully with Horsfall to lob home goalkeeper Bircham and make it 2-0, before converting a penalty he’d won for the team’s third.

After the break, the home side netted with their first attempt at goal as Schiavi netted from a corner, before former Coventry striker Wright, on as a sub, made it 4-1 as the half wore on.

There were still tests to come, however. In-form striker Mooney turned in a second for Deeping shortly before the visitors were reduced to ten men for the final stages as the injured Longbottom was unable to shake off a nasty challenge, Harriers having used all their substitutes.

In the end, the win was secured as Harriers booked their place in the next round, to the delight of Eustace who commented: “It was a tough defeat on Tuesday [at Tamworth] for the young boys and for them to come back and show great character today and win the game against a very good team, I couldn’t be any more pleased.

“It’s a big test, [Deeping] have been on a great run and our form has been very up and down.

“So for them to put in a professional performance like they did today, I was very proud of them.”

HARRIERS: Hall, Williams, Horsfall, Pearson, Taylor, Weeks, Ngwatala (Longbottom 75), Austin (Finch 65), Brown, Ironside (Wright 56), Sonupe.

Subs not used: Webb, Digie, Bannister Attendnce: 969 Referee: Ricky Wootton