Stalybridge Celtic 0-5 Boston United

Dayle Southwell's hat-trick took him to 24 league goals for the season, while Jay Rollins and Grant Roberts also found the back of the net, with Roberts' stunning effort being a serious goal of the season contender.

The result booked a two-legged semi-final against old foes North Ferriby United.

The Pilgrims were completely dominant at Bower Fold and created in the region of 20 clear-cut chances en route to their thumping victory.

Rollins' early drive was charged behind by Matty Hughes while successive Carl Piergianni headers threatened from Lewis Hilliard corners, with one deflected over and one flying wide.

Hilliard's low drive then took a deflection off own team-mate Kaine Felix and nestled wide before United took the lead with 13 minutes played. SOUTHWELL found himself through and coolly rolled the ball beyond advancing keeper Tony McMillan.

Roberts was bravely denied by McMillan after referee Anthony Tankard had allowed a good advantage for a foul on Felix. McMillan then denied Felix, before Hilliard's drive was acrobatically stopped on the line by Peter Wylie.

Celtic's best chance of the game fell to Darius Osei, but his header dropped narrowly wide following Danny Burns' corner.

United doubled their lead five minutes before the break when Roberts robbed Aaron Chalmers to free ROLLINS and he finished with finesse past McMillan.

The Pilgrims knew that a third goal would kill off the contest but it did not arrive until the 71-minute mark. In between times, a succession of chances came and went, with headers from Felix, Piergianni (twice) and Scott Garner all either flying off target or being stopped by a resolute McMillan.

Felix had two further efforts saved by McMillan, before seeing a third deflect and land on the roof of the net. The resulting corner from Dylan McEvoy was cleared as far as ROBERTS, 30 yards from goal, and he angled home a rocket which flashed into the net off the underside of the bar.

SOUTHWELL added goals four and five in the closing stages, tucking home Nat Brown's knockdown from another McEvoy corner on 83 minutes.

Substitute Malachi Lavelle-Moore was twice denied by McMillan before SOUTHWELL completed his hat-trick, and jointly claimed the Golden Boot, with another close-range finish.

Stalybridge (4-2-3-1): Tony McMillan; Peter Wylie, Matty Hughes, John Shaw, Danny Wisdom; Aaron Chalmers, Dale Wright (Ben McKenna 73); Danny Burns, Darius Osei, Alec Mudimu (Jack Higgins 84); Cisse Lingouba (Oliver Crowley 43). Subs (not used): Adam Farrell, Steve Tames.

Boston (4-3-3): Fabian Spiess; Zak Mills (Joe Burgess 81), Nat Brown, Carl Piergianni, Dylan McEvoy; Scott Garner, Grant Roberts, Lewis Hilliard; Kaine Felix (Malachi Lavelle-Moore 77), Dayle Southwell, Jay Rollins (Mark Jones 77). Subs (not used): Conner Robinson, Cameron Johnson.

Referee: Anthony Tankard.

Attendance: 945.