BILLINGE made it through to the knockout stages of the JB Parker Cup with a fine 3-2 victory at Lostock Gralam.

Requiring one win from the remaining two games to make the last-eight, The Storks produced a battling display; especially as they payed with ten men for an hour.

Missing key personnel Billinge still possessed enough quality to take the game to The Grey Lambs as Rob Lamont went close on three occasions before they took the lead on 26 minutes.

A corner was taken short to Lewis Jones who whipped in a cross, Lamont tried an overhead kick that found its way to Zak Riley who prodded home.

Billinge continued to press but at the other end they needed manager Wayne Wardle - playing his first game of the season - to clear off the line on 40 minutes.

From the resulting corner Alex Wilson headed over the bar as the Claret and Blues went in at half-time one-up.

As expected, Lostock started the second period brightly as Jack Woolley headed over on 51 minutes.

Three minutes later they were level when substitute Ryan Jackson got on the end of a Myles Wady cross to knock the ball into the net at the far post.

If the home side thought they may go on and take control of the game - and go on to win it - then they hadn't considered the grit and guile of this Billinge outfit as The Storks were back in front on 57 minutes.

Lamont won a corner and from it Marios Avraam rose well to head it back into the box where Lamont was the first to react, turned and blasted the ball home through a crowded six-yard box to make it 2-1 to the visitors.

On 75 minutes Riley got on the end of Liam Fitzgerald's free-kick for his second and Billinge's third goal of the match.

Jordan Johnson pulled a goal back with a neat lob on 85 minutes but The Storks held on for an excellent and well-deserved 3-2 victory.

After the game manager Wayne Wardle was happy to get the victory and progress through to the last eight saying: "I had a terrible morning as a number of players pulled out due to work commitments and illness but the lads that stepped up from the reserves were superb and did themselves and the club proud.

"There was an almighty scramble in our six-yard box in the last minute but the way everybody threw themselves at the ball to secure the win is what Billinge FC is all about.

"We now look forward to the quarter-final draw, prepare ourselves correctly and take it from there."

That game is scheduled to be played on Saturday 15 May.