WHITLEY Bay and Ashington, who reached the last 32 of the FA Carlsberg Vase at the weekend, locked horns at Hillheads last night in the quarter-finals of the Sage Northumberland FA Senior Cup.

The teams produced a fast, entertaining game before a crowd of 346 and it was the Colliers who moved into the semi-finals. Jonny Godsmark, who caused the Seahorses’ defence problems all night with his electric pace, broke the deadlock on 63 minutes when the former Whitley player Phil Bell set up the goal.

Bell produced a precision pass and Godsmark wasted no time firing past debutant goalkeeper Michael Hammond.

With only four minutes remaining it looked as if Bell had wrapped up the tie for Ashington as he tapped in from close-range following a cross from the left.

But two minutes later David Pounder, who had struck the woodwork in the first half, chipped goalkeeper Karl Dryden to set up an exciting final few minutes but Gary Middleton’s side held on.

Dunston UTS aim to be playing in the same league as Durham City next season and judging by their performance at The Esh Group stadium last night, they will not be out of place if they realise their ambitions.

After conceding a first-minute goal to Amar Purewal who slotted wide of goalkeeper Liam Connell following a penetrating 40-yard run and being on the defensive during the opening half, UTS emerged 3-2 winners.

Andrew Bulford fired home from close range on 50 minutes and 10 minutes later, Ian Herron gave Dunston the lead for the first time.