NOTHING has been easy for Kidderminster Harriers this season so it was hardly a surprise that a struggling Conference team pushed them all the way on Saturday.

But Harriers booked an away trip to Woking in the second round with two Dean Bennett headers giving Jan Molby his first home FA Cup win in charge of Harriers.

The omens are good as whenever the two old non-league rivals have met in the past during the competition, the winners have gone on to enjoy excellent cup runs.

And it was exactly 10 years ago that Harriers marched past Woking, Birmingham and Preston among others before falling to West Ham in the fifth round.

A similar run would be a massive financial boost for club chiefs who were happy to begin with Northwich at home, though the fixture was never going to draw the crowds.

Harriers did not take long to pierce the defence of the second-from-bottom Conference outfit as experienced John Williams gave left-back Kieran Charnock a torrid time.

Williams darted onto a pass from Danny Williams on 10 minutes and stepped inside to try his luck with a near-post finish that keeper Andy Woods blocked with his legs.

Midfielder Matt Gadsby, protecting the defence with D Williams, showed his willingness to fire from distance soon after but was off target.

Northwich's midfield pair Karl Murray, on loan from Shrewsbury, and Richard Norris were also loose with their finishes as the visitors provided a rare first-half threat.

But the part-timers were only saved by Lee Woodyatt's header off the line on 32 minutes from Gadsby's volley after Woods spilled a Sam Shilton corner.

Gadsby was involved once again on 39 minutes with Harriers' opener though it seemed his arm was involved in controlling the ball.

However, the officials missed it and there was nothing wrong with his excellent cross which Bennett powered past Woods with a forceful downward header.

Four minutes later, Shilton released Andy White down the left and the big forward drew a good save from the keeper at his post.

Northwich had nothing to lose and they showed it in the second period with a far better attacking display cheered on by more than 350 vociferous fans and their band.

Lively winger Steve Garvey volleyed close to keeper Stuart Brock and then sent a good low 30-yard strike just wide for the Vics on 51 minutes.

In between, J Williams was picked out by D Williams' cross from a short corner but nodded straight at Woods.

Bo Henriksen's introduction for the quiet Sean Parrish gave Harriers a spark with Bennett moving into an attacking midfield role behind the front three.

Within six minutes of entering the action, the Dane showed he was over his injury and illness problems by cleverly curling a White lay-off inches wide from 20 yards.

But seconds later the home side had a real let-off when Mark Devlin failed to get enough purchase on Norris' centre and poked the ball weakly at a grateful Brock.

As the game opened up, Henriksen drove wide from the edge of the box and Bennett blazed a good chance over after good footwork in the box.

Devlin hooked an opportunist effort onto the roof of the net and then big defender Mark Foran planted an unchallenged header straight into Brock's hands on 81 minutes.

But Bennett was not as generous to the opposition six minutes from time, nodding home expertly from J Williams' forceful right-wing run and cross.

The goal proved crucial as Harriers predictably failed to keep a clean sheet at Aggborough yet again.

A long clearance down the middle caught Molby's men out alarmingly and sub Chris Thompson was allowed to finish calmly past Brock on 87 minutes.

But Harriers regained their concentration and held out comfortably to net a useful £12,500 in cup winnings so far.

HARRIERS: Brock 6; Hinton 5, Smith 6, Hatswell 6, Shilton 6; Gadsby 7 (Betts 61, 6), D Williams 7, Parrish 5 (Henriksen 62, 7); J Williams 7 (Lewis 86), White 6, BENNETT 8. Subs not used: Danby, Ayres.

NORTHWICH: Woods; Woodyatt, Foran, Brazier, Charnock; Zico Black (Thompson 73), Murray, Norris, Garvey; Devlin (Owen 88); Allen. Subs not used: Connett, Barnard, Walsh.

ATTENDANCE: 2,052.

SHOTS ON: Harriers 6, Northwich 4.

SHOTS OFF: Harriers 13, Northwich 8.

CORNERS: Harriers 10, Northwich 3.

GOALS: Bennett 39, 84, Thompson 87.

YELLOW CARDS: None.

SHUTTLE STAR MAN: Dean Bennett. Two headed goals capped a lively display from Bennett who is enjoying his wide attacking role. Also impressed when pushed back into attacking midfield.