Lancaster City 0-2 Salford City

The big-spending Ammies had to play 50 minutes a man down after Danny Webber’s straight red card for an elbow on Gavin Clark.

But the Class of 92-backed outfit, watched by Manchester United legend Paul Scholes at Giant Axe, were the more clinical of the two sides as a Gareth Seddon brace handed them victory.

Darren Peacock’s side largely huffed and puffed without reward as promise in possession rarely translated into real chances in the final third.

Ashley Dunn crashing a shot off Mike Hale’s right-hand post inside the opening minute was a sign of things to come for City as Salford’s movement at the sharp end of the field gave them problems all afternoon.

The hosts’ chances in the early stages could barely be described as such, Aaron Taylor twice seeing efforts blocked in the penalty area.

It was Salford who were by far the brighter with Webber and Seddon, both dropping down several divisions to turn out for the Ammies this season, a real threat.

Shortly after the half hour Webber’s dipping volley left Hale stranded but went narrowly wide before Seddon opened the scoring 10 minutes before the interval.

It was former Watford and Sheffield United man Webber who played the through ball for Seddon to finish well past Hale one-on-one with the ball going in off the post.

City continued to probe with Reece Pearce firing over from the edge of the area after a neat move on 39 minutes.

Then came the game’s flash point with Webber lashing out at Clark off the ball with referee Barry Cropp having little hesitation in showing a straight red card.

The Dolly Blues’ numerical advantage didn’t pay dividends however with the visitors doubling their lead nine minutes into the second half.

Peacock’s side were caught on the break with Jamie Rother squaring for Seddon to convert from close range.

City still had time to salvage something from the game but their chances remained fleeting, Billy Akrigg firing over from range on the hour mark before Sam Bailey cut in from the right and saw a dipping shot go narrowly over the crossbar on 67 minutes.

Seddon nearly completed his hat-trick five minutes from time but saw a looping volley well-saved by Hale.

City skipper Neil Marshall then saw a shot deflected wide in stoppage time as the hosts’ endeavours counted for nothing.

Lancaster City: Hale, Hudson, Clark (Birch 66), Davis, Marshall (capt), Hunter, Winder, Akrigg, Pearce (Woods 55), Taylor, Dodgson (Bailey 24). Subs not used: Donlon, Freeland.

Booked: Dodgson, Clark, Marshall, Hudson.

Salford City: Guthrie, Edgehill (Coo 90), Neville, Andrews, Lynch (capt), Walters, Dunn, Rother (Moss 85), Webber, Seddon, Madeley (Platt 63). Subs not used: Coo, Chadwick, Cook.

Booked: Lynch, Andrews. Sent off: Webber.

Attendance: 258