NORTHWICH Victoria are through to the Mid Cheshire District FA Senior Cup Final, while 1874 Northwich’s woes continue.

Vics overhauled their higher league ‘derby’ rivals 3-1 in Tuesday night’s grudge tie at Townfield, booking them a showdown with Witton Albion.

Sam Unwin scored twice in eight minutes to put the visitors in command in the second half and although Joel Jones pulled a goal back for the hosts the contest was killed off two minutes into added time by Callum Parker’s strike.

The success marks a first win in five outings for a Midland League Vics side who had not played since Boxing Day.

In contrast, it was a fifth successive loss for Northern Premier League West bottom side 1874, who have now gone a dozen matches without a victory.

Tuesday night’s goalless first half was low on quality.

1874’s best chance of breaking the deadlock came through a header, from the returning Matt Woolley, which was cleared off the line, while Vics keeper Adam Reid produced a great save to tip a rasping Jamie Nicholson effort over the bar.

A miscue at the rear allowed Vics’ Marcus Perry to poke an effort towards goal but on-loan Wigan Athletic keeper Matthew Wonnacott saved well.

Perry got another chance a minute into the new half when he raced on to a through ball but he dragged his shot an inch wide.

1874 had a couple of chances to go in front, firstly through Jack Marrow glancing a header narrowly off target and Jamal Crawford sliding an effort wide.

Then Vics took control through Unwin’s two goals.

For the first, in the 53rd minute, he stole the ball off the 1874 defence, raced away and slotted his shot beneath Wonnacott.

Unwin produced a clinical finish for his second, too, making the most of a smart ball behind the 1874 defence.

A triple save by Wonnacott soon after kept ’74 in the contest and a lifeline was produced by frontman Jones who drilled home from a tight angle after 73 minutes.

But Vics’ win never really looked under threat and they deservedly sealed their success with a counter attack finished off by a curling Parker effort in the 92nd minute.

1874 will seek to arrest their poor run of results when they return to league action at Chasetown on Saturday, while Vics head to AFC Wulfrunians.