Newton Aycliffe manager Peter Dixon said that his players showed “unbelievable character” to beat Colne on their sloping pitch and move into the third round of the Vase with a 5-3 win in extra time.

Aycliffe looked good for a place in the last 64 when they led 3-1 in the second half, but the North West Counties league leaders launched a fightback and forced extra time. However, Aycliffe recovered and went through in extra time thanks to two heroes, hat trick man Dennis Knight and teenager Alan Harrison.

“The players showed unbelievable spirit when Colne had their tails up in extra time,” said Dixon. “They pulled themselves together at the end of the 90 minutes and were immense. They showed plenty of extra character.

“Colne are a decent side, so we didn’t underestimate them. They’re going really well in their league in which they’ve lost only once this season.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a massive slope on a pitch, it must have been at least twelve feet from one end of the ground to the other. The second half was unbelievable when they had the advantage of the slope, and we did well to come away with a win.

“Even though he’s only 17, Alan Harrison made a big difference to us when he came on as a substitute. He turned down the chance of playing for the County today in order to go on the bench for us and play in the Vase. He scored a goal and made the last ten minutes a lot more comfortable.

“He’s made a habit of scoring in the Vase, because he scored in the last round against Chester-le-Street. He’s a popular lad in our dressing room, and his attitude is first class.”

Aycliffe took the lead on 11 minutes when Stuart Banks was brought down in the area after beating two defenders, and Dennis Knight scored from the spot. Aycliffe keeper James Winter kept his side in the lead when he stooped a penalty, and Knight then made it 2-0 when Alex Kitchen made a good run and split the Colne defence for his team mate to run through and beat the keeper.

Colne pulled a goal back through Danny Boyle’s shot, but Aycliffe responded immediately with a well-hit 20 yarder by Banks.

Colne then launched their fightback when Jay Hart converted a penalty and Chris Anderson equalised.

But Aycliffe recovered and just two minutes into extra time Paul Garthwaite was fouled and Knight completed his hat trick from the spot, and then Harrison hit a terrific left foot shot for the fifth.

Sunderland RCA also had an excellent win away from home, by 5-1 at Hemsworth.

Former Hartlepool striker Colin Larkin gave them a perfect start with a goal in the first minute, and before half time Larkin and Stephen Callen added further goals.

Kevin Gordon made it 4-0, and after the NCEL side pulled a goal back, Larkin completed his hat trick.

Sunderland RCA manager Marty Swales said; “We were top drawer, we’re delighted to be in the next round. It was a great performance, Colin showed how good a striker he is.”

Dunston UTS won the battle of the two former Vase winners, by 2-1 at Whitley Bay.

Dunston were on top in the first half, and Whitley keeper Andrew Jennison pulled off some good saves to keep his side level.

Dunston took the lead when a poor clearance was picked up by Steve Richardson, who pulled the ball back for Malky Morien to score.

Morien was then gifted a second when Jennison completely missed his kick, allowing Morien the simple task of tapping into an empty net.

Whitley pulled a goal back with a fierce 20 yarder by Mark Bertram, but Dunston held on for their third victory in three seasons against Whitley in the Vase.

Dunston UTS manager Billy Irwin said; “We deserved to win by a bigger margin, the players were great.”

Whitley Bay manager Paddy Atkinson said; “Our pitch was heavy and it costs us a replay. The ball bounced in front of our keeper and stuck in the mud, and he air kicked the ball. After we got back to 1-1, a bobbly back pass and poor kick led to them scoring the winner.”

Seaham Red Star beat Maltby 3-1 to reach the third round for the second successive season.

Seaham took the lead after 15 minutes with a header by Dan Robinson from a corner, and they went 2-0 up on 54 minutes through a Paul Gardiner volley from ten yards out after Maltby failed to deal with another corner.

The NCEL side pulled a goal back on 58 minutes, but Nicky Kane made sure for Seaham with an effort from the edge of the box.

Seaham Red Star manager Mark Collingwood said; “It was a scrappy game. We were depleted massively but we progressed and look forward to the draw. Hopefully we’ll avoid a Northern League side in the next round, but I doubt it though.”

Five other Vase ties involving Northern League clubs were postponed, and have been re-arranged in midweek