Billingham Synthonia 1, Bideford 0.

AS Billingham Synthonia's players celebrated their passage into the last four of the FA Vase back in the changing room, manager Stuart Coleby headed straight to the centre circle to lay down a bunch of flowers in memory of a former player.

Paul Roberts was only 29 when he lost his battle against leukaemia on February 27, 2000 and it was his dying wish that his ashes were scattered at Central Avenue

And so it was quite poignant that, on one of the biggest days in Synners' 84-year history, Roberts was remembered so close to his anniversary.

"Every Saturday nearest to the anniversary we remember Paul by putting a bunch of flowers on the pitch," explained Coleby.

"He was a smashing kid and it was quite fitting that we were able to remember him again on such a big occasion."

Coleby admits it was the occasion that could well have cost Synners their place in the next round in front of the 423 crowd.

But thanks to David Wells' late penalty the Synners boss will today learn who his side will play next in the semi-final of the competition when the draw takes place at FA headquarters, Soho Square.

The Teessiders are joined in the hat by Truro City, AFC Totton and Curzon Ashton after Saturday's quarter-final win which earns the club £4,000 in prize money.

Six of Billingham's seven draws have been at home, but now Coleby's men must prove themselves over two legs with a possible appearance at the new Wembley at stake.

However, Synthonia will be boosted by the return of skipper Simon Shaw, who missed Saturday's game through suspension.

Coleby, who is also the chairman of Synners, hopes that the FA will decide to stage the final at the soon to be completed national stadium, providing of course they negotiate their way past the next round.

"It would be a great gesture by the FA to allow the final to be played at Wembley," said Middlesbrough-born Coleby. "There's a small group of people who work very hard behind the scenes here to keep the club going and it would be a fantastic reward for them."

But, even by Coleby's own admission, Synners made hard work of the win against a Bideford side that boasted six players with previous FA Vase final experience.

And, while the home side controlled the opening 45 minutes, it was the Western Football League outfit who should have been in front when striker Antony Lynch rounded John Jackson only to fire wide.

"We were nervous on the bench and I think some of the lads were tired with nervous energy out on the pitch," said Coleby. "I don't think we were at our best and I think the occasion got to us a little bit.

"We didn't seem to have the energy and the spark, but at the end of the day we got the result we wanted."

Despite a relatively comfortable win against the Devon part-timers it wasn't until the 82nd minute that Synners finally found the net after squandering a host of chances.

Striker Colin Iley was guilty of an amazing miss when his 47th minute header from less than two yards out struck the cross-bar. However, to spare his blushes, the former Guisborough Town man later claimed his effort was tipped on to the woodwork by Bideford keeper Kenny Griffiths.

It wasn't until the 70th minute that Synners' goalkeeper Jackson finally had a save to make from Robert Gough's free-kick.

And the home side were almost made to pay for their profligacy in front of goal when Jackson saved bravely at the feet of Bideford substitute Robbie Herrera.

"Colin Iley somehow contrived to hit the bar from right on the line and you start to wonder is it not going to be our day?" admitted Coleby.

"As comfortable as we were there was that fine line when it was nil-nil and Jacko (John Jackson) made a great save when he was one-on-one with their lad."

Despite brief spells of hesitancy, Synners always appeared to have the upper hand on their opponents, with the energetic Neil Radigan in particular catching the eye in the midfield.

It was Radigan's cross in the 61st minute that fell to Lee Flanagan, but despite an outstretched boot the striker failed to connect.

Skipper Shaun Hope did manage to head the loose ball into the net only to be ruled offside.

But, with extra-time beckoning Synners finally got the breakthrough they deserved when Colin Iley was clumsily up-ended in the box by Neil Bettis.

And that turned out to be Bettis' last involvement in the game after he was sent off for punching Iley in the face following an exchange of words between the pair.

When calm was eventually restored Wells stepped up to make no mistake from the spot with a low drive down the middle to book Synners' place in the last four.