The STL Northern League now has a magnificent five clubs in the last 16 of the FA Carlsberg Vase after Billingham Synthonia and Dunston won their replays on Saturday.

Billingham Synthonia played some of their best football of the season on their way to winning 2-1 at Runcorn Town.

It took them until the second half to break the deadlock after almost three hours with goal in the two games. Chris Emms, who will miss the last 16 tie, crossed for Matthew Crosson to set up David Abel, who headed in from just a few yards.

And Synners had some breathing space when Danny McWilliams found James Earl bursting clear, and the striker kept his head to hold off a defender and round the Runcorn keeper.

Runcorn were encouraged when Synners keeper Josh Moody suffered an injury that restricted him, but they could only score once with a few minutes left, and Synners held on.

Billingham Synthonia assistant manager Lee Tucker said: “I thought that we were unbelievable in the first half, and we were disappointed to be goalless still at half time. But after they got in our faces a little bit after half time, we had a good spell and scored two good goals. Their pitch wasn’t as bad as we feared it would be, and it didn’t prevent us from playing our usual style of football.”

Synners are now at home to Bournemouth from the Wessex League on February 11th.

Dunston finished off Wisbech by 3-1 at the UTS stadium after a shaky start to the game, and they now have a home tie with Bethnal Green United.

Dunston took the lead when Andy Bulford made a good run down the left and set up Steve Goddard to score from a few yards, then Goddard’s shot on the turn was blocked, and instead it fell for Bulford to turn the ball home.

Wisbech then had defender Anthony Reeve sent off for a professional foul, and Bulford took advantage to run on to a long ball and round the keeper for the third. Wisbech pulled a goal back late in the game from a free kick.

Manager Billy Irwin said: “Wisbech had a lot of possession in the first 20 minutes, but then we changed things around after that, and our players were top drawer after that.”

The revised odds for the FA Vase now include: Whitley Bay 2/1, West Auckland 5/1, Dunston 6/1, Ashington, Gresley, St Ives 10/1, Billingham Synthonia 16/1.