Halesowen Harriers 0 Redditch United 4

STRIKE ace Paul Danks ruined Mark Clarke's 200th appearance for Halesowen with a clinical first half hat-trick to ease United through to the next round.

In truth, the game had been won at half time. The Reds four-goal advantage seemed to knock the stuffing out of poor Harriers.

Credit to the Midland Alliance outfit, however - they put up a brave fight in the second period and were unlucky not to grab a consolation goal.

But this game was all about Redditch.

Slick going forward - most notably Mark Swann - and generally solid at the back, more performances like this could ensure a top-six finish for Nicky Cross' men in the Dr Martens League Western Division.

The Reds had squandered several chances before Danks gave them the lead on 13 minutes.

Neil Beagan dispossessed Martin Jeffs and unleashed a shot that Halesowen keeper Dave Hancock spilled into Danks' path for a simple tap-in.

Harriers skipper Jeffs was the culprit again seven minutes later when he needlessly gave away a penalty by hauling Began to the ground inside the area.

Danks almost tore the net with the subsequent spot-kick.

United right back Ian Mitchell got in on the act by scoring the goal of the game after 23 minutes with a looping 30-yard effort which soared over Hancock.

Jeffs then made amends for his earlier mishaps with an excellent goal-line headed clearance off Danks' speculative 25-yard lob.

But Danks wasn't to be denied. His hat-trick came seven minutes before the interval when he displayed all his predatory instincts with a far post volley off Began's nifty right-wing run and centre.

Although Harriers made more of a game of it, most notably from Phillip Bridge's 85th minute effort that hit the post, a consolation never came.