SHILDON’S patience paid off when they became the fifth EBAC Northern League club into the last 32 of the FA Carlsberg Vase after beating Parkgate 3-1 at Dean Street.

The Railwaymen trailed to an early goal, and it looked as if they were going to have a frustrating afternoon until their pressure finally broke Parkgate midway through the second half.

The Northern Counties East League side took the lead with their first shot after eight minutes when Martyn Lee broke away and slotted the ball past Shildon keeper Keith Finch.

For the rest of the half, the visitors were pushed back, but their keeper Robert Poulter pulled off some good saves, while Ben Wood and Jamie Owens both missed chances for Shildon.

In the second half Wood and Sam Garvie hit the woodwork and two shots were cleared off the line before Shildon levelled when Poulter spilled John Brackstone’s low free-kick and Chris McCabe touched the ball over the line.

Shildon then took command, and Garvie created the second with his pace down the left, pulling the ball back for Jamie Owens to side-foot home.

It was all over when Owens broke into the box down the left, and lashed the ball past the keeper at his near post.

Manager Gary Forrest said: “In the first half, I thought the players were too keen and tried to force passes, but at half-time I told them to be patient, because I could see them scoring as we were creating so many chances. Once we equalised, we were always going to win.”

Shildon are now at Bitton in Gloucestershire in the fourth round on January 19.

Competition favourites Spennymoor won the all- ENL tie against Billingham Synthonia 2-0, but they were not as convincing as they would have liked.

They took a first-minute lead when a long-range shot by Keith Graydon was parried by keeper Josh Moody and Gavin Cogdon turned in.

Synners had good chances to get back into the game and force a replay, but on 73 minutes Cogdon showed his quality by firing into the top corner for the second from 30 yards to give them a home tie against Kent League side Lordswood.

Moors manager Jason Ainsley said: “It wasn’t our best performance at all, but Gavin was unplayable. On other occasions in the Vase in the past, we’ve been the better side but have gone out.”