TADCASTER Albion booked their place in the Northern Counties East League Cup semi-finals with a 3-1 victory at Division One side Knaresborough Town.

The Brewers side' included four ex-Premier League stars as Seb Carole, Richard Cresswell, Matt Heath and Jonathan Greening lined up alongside under-21s player Ryan Woodhead and 17-year old Casey Stewart, who replaced Nick Black, who pulled up in the warm-up.

Early on Tadcaster threatened with Carole, Cresswell and Greening to the fore.

Knaresborough's 20-goal striker Brad Walker pulled a half-volley way wide from their first effort.

Carole created an opportunity from 25 yards after turning Calum Rodgers before firing high into the night sky.

Shortly after Carole beat a challenger before guiding a perfectly-weighted pass to Carl Stewart who fired low into the near corner past Jack Rushworth.

Knaresborough impressed but Cresswell flicked beyond the Town defence and Stewart lifted the ball over the falling Rushworth.

In the second half defenders Heath and Andy Milne were looking solid.

In the 65th Cresswell was brought down just inside the area though the referee awarded a free-kick. Stewart chipped the ball towards the top right-hand corner but Rushworth impressively clawed it out.

The home side kept plugging away but Walker slid an effort wide from four yards out.

With seven minutes to go Tadcaster were awarded a penalty after Toby Lees was adjudged to have handled the ball giving Stewart his hat-trick.

The home side pulled a consolation goal back as Lees hooked in a rebound from the keeper.