Racers face a trip to the seaside after withstanding Ellesmere fightback

On a gloriously sunny afternoon, Racers started brightly and Jamie Smith had already fired narrowly over before they took a fifth-minute lead.

Tez Morton’s through ball released Jake Brown who raced through and calmly fired past the Rangers keeper from 18 yards.

Ellesmere were shellshocked and Wade Malley was denied a second for Racers by the offside flag.

Ellesmere struggled to get a foothold in the game although the returning Conal Dowling was called on to make a smart save low down to his right after a rare sight of goal for the visitors.

At the other end, a Malley shot was well saved while Adam Laight fired just over after being set up by Smith.

From the resultant goal kick, Racers doubled their advantage, Malley volleying back the tame clearance for Smith to cleverly scoop the ball over the keeper.

Ellesmere came into the game after break and Dowling was called on to make a good reaction save before the visitors gained reward for some attractive football with their opener, glancing home a 53rd-minute free-kick.

Racing Club then allowed Ellesmere to get back on level terms on the hour-mark when they failed to deal with another free-kick.

Rangers were on the front foot but Racers responded well and regained the lead in the 77th minute when Smith received the ball in space and produced a neat sidestep before firing hard and low past the despairing Ellesmere keeper.

The final ten minutes saw wave after wave of Ellesmere pressure but the two banks of defence held firm to set up a trip to Cleethorpes Town in the second round on November 21.

Town beat Southam 5-1 at Banbury Road in last year’s competition.

Racers return to league action on Saturday when they travel to Cadbury Athletic.