West Auckland manager Peter Dixon says that a half time transformation was the key to reaching the last 16 of the FA Carlsberg Vase with a 3-1 win at Bitton on Saturday.

West were well below their best as they trailed to the Western League side at half time, but Dixon revealed; “The players decided at half time that they wanted to go through to the next round, and they showed a huge amount of desire in the second half. The second half was all about winning, and the players were transformed.

“We’ve made history by getting through to the last 16 – the celebrations in the clubhouse after the game were like New Year’s Eve.”

Bitton, based just outside Bristol, took the lead down the slope with a header by Mark Salter, but after the interval West got their game together.

Alex Francis levelled with a 25 yarder that took a slight deflection and deceived the keeper, then Mattie Moffat made it 2-1 from a Micky Rae pass. And the celebrations started when Stephen Brown finished off a breakaway move.

West have signed former Darlington striker John Campbell from Bedlington, but he is Vase tied.

West are one of three STL Northern League clubs through to the last 16, and there’s the possibility of two more with replays coming up on Saturday.

Whitley Bay striker Paul Chow has now set a remarkable record of having scored in 13 successive rounds of the Vase, after he scored a hat trick in their 5-0 win over Surrey side South Park. There was never really any doubt over the result after Chow put Whitley into the lead from a David Pounder corner, and then South Park had a man sent off for a two footed challenge.

Chow made it 2-0 early in the second half , and minutes later a Paul Robinson cross was turned into the South Park net by a defender. Chow and Damon Robson added further goals.

It was also Whitley’s 24th successive round win, going all the way back to 2009. They are just one off the all time record set by Liverpool in the Football League Cup between 1981 and 1984.

Whitley Bay manager Ian Chandler said: “I thought we dominated the first half without forcing their keeper to make any saves. We deserved our lead when Chowie scored, and in the second half we dominated. We could have had six or seven, there were great displays from all.”

Ashington are definitely through after winning by the best of five at Newport Pagnell. Just like West, they are also through for the first time in their history.

They got off to a great start, scoring through Mark O’Dea after 13 minutes, and eight minutes they were 2-0 up thanks to a header by Gareth Rees.

However, the home side battled back to level to 2-2, but Ashington got what proved to be the winner just on half time when Andrew Johnson hit the bar from 25 yards, but Gareth Bainbridge reacted first to score from the rebound.

Billingham Synthonia must travel across to Cheshire next week for their replay after being held to a goalless draw by Runcorn Town.

Synners had much the better of the first half, and created, but missed some good chances.

But Runcorn had more of the play in the second half, and Synners keeper Josh Moody kept his side in the competition with an excellent save.

In extra time, Synners could have won it, but Michael Jameson was denied from point blank range.

Synners’ assistant manager Lee Tucker said: “Even though we had 18 shots on target in the game and didn’t score, I thought we played some very good football. It will be a tough ask to win the replay, but we’re encouraged by our performance.”

Dunston came back from a goal down at Wisbech to lead 2-1, but conceded a late equaliser to set up a replay the UTS Stadium this Saturday.

Dunston were below their best in the first half, and trailed to a goal by Nick Davey after 27 minutes. However, Dunston regrouped in the second half, and levelled when top scorer Andy Bulford scored from a free kick, and then he claimed the last touch on a Lee McAndrew effort to make it 2-1. However, the Eastern Counties league side set up a replay with a strike by Matt Lunn. Dunston defended well in extra time, although they had Michael Dixon dismissed for two yellows.

Dunston manager Billy Irwin said: “We didn’t really perform in the first half, and the lads knew that they were poor. We’re still in the competition, which is the main thing. We need to improve this Saturday.”

Newcastle Benfield are the only Northern League team definitely out of the competition, after they lost to a late goal at home to Herne Bay from Kent.

James Campbell but Herne Bay into a half time lead, but Benfield equalised with a low shot by Brian Dodsworth from the left which was deflected past the Herne Bay keeper.

However, Benfield were reduced to ten men after 78 minutes when defender Kevin Leighton was shown a second yellow, and Herne Bay took advantage by scoring the winner with two minutes left through Rhys Lawson The other teams left in the competition are: St Ives, Staveley, Shortwood United, Bournemouth, Bethnal Green United, Peterborough Northern Star, Tividale, Larkhall Athletic, Oadby Town and the winners of the Gresley v Three Bridges replay.

The draw is made on Monday lunchtime.