FARSLEY CELTIC 0 ACCRINGTON STANLEY 3

ACCRINGTON cruised into the President's Cup semi-finals with a well-deserved victory at First Division Farsley Celtic.

Stanley dominated from the start and took a sixth minute lead when good work by Mark Ceraolo created an opening for Paul Mullin and the Reds leading scorer fired past Celtic goalkeeper Wayne Baker and into the net off the near post.

On 21 minutes, Ceraolo played the ball to Russell Payne on the right and his cross found Simon Carden but his powerful header crashed against the Farsley crossbar.

After 38 minutes Mark Brennan created an opening for Ceraolo but his well-struck shot was saved by Baker.

Ceraolo had another shot on target just before the break as Mullin and Carden combined well but again Baker saved Celtic. Stanley's domination continued in the second half as Mullin hit a 25 yard piledriver that Baker pushed over the crossbar. It was no surprise when the Reds increased their lead on 72 minutes, a long-range shot by Carden was headed into the net by Jonathan Smith.

Four minutes later Accrington hit the woodwork for a second time when Carden's corner was headed on by Mullin to Payne whose header grazed the top of the crossbar. Stanley were awarded a 77th minute penalty when Ceraolo went past Damian Place only for the defender to haul him down Ceraolo got up to take the spot kick but Baker dived to his left to make a good save.

The third Stanley goal came two minutes later as Payne set up Carden and he hammered home a first-time shot from 22 yards. Accrington now face a long trip to Blyth Spartans in the President's Cup semi-finals.