It proved to be as slippery as the potential banana-skin manager Mark Yates had warned it would be, but Kidderminster Harriers' extra quality and know-how steered them past battling Ware and into the second round.

Harriers had their backs firmly against the wall in front of a 2,100 crowd at Wodson Park when skipper Stuart Whitehead was sent off for hauling back striker John Frendo in the 71st minute.

Ryman League Division One North side Ware, who were the lowest-ranked team left in the competition, sensed a giant-killing but two goals in a three-minute spell steered Kidderminster into round two and a tie against League Two strugglers Dagenham & Redbridge, last season's Conference champions.

Michael Blackwood gave the visitors the lead in the 76th minute after Russell Penn had been fouled ten yards outside the penalty area and Blackwood lashed home a low free-kick. Then, fit-again top scorer James Constable smashed home a stunning 20-yarder to double the lead.

Constable had earlier had a spectacular overhead kick ruled out for an offside decision against Iyseden Christie while Mark Creighton headed wide from Michael McGrath's corner, but Harriers goalkeeper Chris Mackenzie had prevented his side falling behind with two sharp saves from Sam Berry.

Ware, who were playing in the first round for only the second time in their history, ended the game on a sour note when Danny Wolf was dismissed for elbowing Johnny Harkness.

Yates admitted his side had been given a scare and were just pleased to be in the hat for the next round.

"For the first 45 minutes, we weren't as good as we wanted to be and that was all credit to them," he said. "But we increased the tempo in the second half and we've seen the game out. It's all about getting the result in the FA Cup and we've got that."