VALE pulled off a fine comeback to knock out Brewers at Back Lane to claim an unlikely semi-final spot in the Macclesfield and District FA Sunday Cup.

Premier Division strugglers Vale came from a goal behind to beat second-placed Brewers 2-1.

Martin Firth put the visitors ahead with a spectacular 30-yarder but they couldn’t add to their one goal advantage, despite plenty of possession. Vale came back in the second half and goals from Tom Burgess and David Holmes sent them through to the last four.

There was an ignominious exit for Albion in their tie at Alderley Royal Oak.

Albion trailed 2-0 at half-time but were still in the game. However, an injury to midfielder Ben Thornley signalled the end of their cup bid.

Without their driving force, Albion slumped to defeat as Scott McGowan helped himself to a hat-trick with Andy Hurst grabbing two, one from the penalty spot. Steve Boardman and Duncan Warrinder added one apiece.

Three goals in a frenetic four minutes midway through the second half settled the quarter-final between Baths and Poynton Workmen.

Both teams had tried to play football but too often the ball held up in mud and momentum was lost.

Despite the conditions both goalkeepers were kept busy and didn’t let their teams down, Marcus Pencheon and Lee Anderson both pulling off fine saves.

Poynton striker Jon Cairns had been on the losing side in the Saturday Cup semi-final held the day before but he made amends for his Sunday team, scoring a hat-trick. Rick Tindall added a fourth.

Baths’ scorers were Craig Poyser (2) and Steve Brain.

Ox-fford eased into the semis with a comfortable victory against First Division Hollins. It could have been very different though as Hollins had much the better of the opening exhanges and were unfortunate to be trailing 2-1 at the turnround.

The second half was a different affair as Chris Mason gave Hollins a torrid time down the left and Dave Billington buzzed around the edge of the box.

The goals duly came as Billington scored twice and Mason once and they were joined on the score sheet by Carl McCurrie and substitute Liam Hadfield.

After Gaz Burns had scored in the first half it was mere consolation when top scorer Matt Beswick confidently tucked away a penalty for the visitors.