Workington Reds 5 Cleator Moor Celtic 1: Cumberland Cup holders Workington Reds marched on in this year's competition after weathering a first-half storm from visitors Cleator Moor Celtic.

The quarter-final tie was a real game of two halves. In the first 45 minutes, Celtic harried their hosts and made inroads into the Reds' half on several occasions.

They asked questions of the home defence and, at times, made them look second best. But they could not make it pay when it mattered in front of goal.

The two sides went in level at half time 1-1 and whatever was said to Workington in the dressing room worked wonders.

They came out a completely changed side and overpowered their Wearside League opponents to rack up the goals.

Reds fielded a changed side from the one that won on Saturday.

Lamin Cham was given his reward for some good performances in the reserves when he was handed a start, and showed good glimpses of pace.

Tom Fowler was brought in for Aaran Taylor while Sam Joel, Matty Douglas, Robbie Hebson and Nathan Waterston also started.

The opening 10 minutes went end to end before Joel picked up the first goal for Reds. He took on the defenders and turned before putting his effort past the keeper and rolled it into the net.

They could have been two up shortly after when Waterston was judged to have been brought down in the penalty area.

Anthony Wright stepped up to the spot and he drove it hard but Celtic keeper Craig Devine was on form and he made a diving save to stop it.

But instead it was Celtic who got level, first Darren Johnston's header caused problems for the Reds defence and then, minutes later, came a crucial goal.

Luke Close found space inside the box and shot low into the bottom corner, beating Fowler in the Reds goal to level matters at 1-1.

Reds tried to hit back as Douglas looked to get a shot away after a melee in the box but a great block from Dion Barnes saved the visitors.

Celtic looked to be winning the battle in midfield as Reds were restricted to opportunities on the break.

And, at the opposite end, they were battling hard to try and win the advantage but there was no change to the scoreline.

As half time approached, Reds began to come to life. They won a free kick when Tom Mahone brought down Wright but Celtic's defence were up to the task and cleared the danger.

James Earl then got in a dangerous low cross but Callum Jackman was on hand to clear for a corner.

Douglas could not quite get up to reach the corner that was rifled in and Waterston's effort went wide.

Joel had a golden opportunity as he got onto the end of a good ball in the box but he slipped as he went to take on the keeper and his eventual shot was put out for a corner, which was cleared again.

The second half was only a couple of minutes old when Reds asserted their authority and pulled back their goal advantage.

First Tom Mahone pulled off a great tackle to deny Joel. Then, Conor Tinnion lofted in a corner kick and Sam Smith hit a bullet header into the bottom corner.

The third goal was not long in coming as Joel popped in a lovely cross which Waterston flicked into the net for 3-1.

Cham was unlucky to see his shot go right across the face of the goal and out as he looked to make his mark on debut.

And it was 4-1 when Tinnion took advantage of a fumble by Devine in the Celtic goal and was on hand to just tap the ball home.

The best goal came in the shape of the fifth. Hebson showed his pace as he rocketed up the middle of the field.

He had support in the shape of Waterston on the right and he took an early shot but it was blocked and came back to Joel, who made no mistake in front of goal to get his second of the night.

Lewis Jolly, on off the bench, had a shot deflected wide for a corner but this time Celtic shepherded the ball back to the keeper.

But all credit to Celtic, as they did not lie down and they got a good chance just entering the final 15 minutes as Luke Close was brought down on the edge of the area and won a free kick.

Darren Little lined up the shot but it went high over the bar.

Jay Weatherill showed pace as he bore down on the Workington goal and took a shot on the move but it took a deflection before going out

Darren Little made his impact felt off the bench as he hustled the Reds defence before shooting over the target.

But in the end it was Reds' day and they progress to the semi-finals.

Workington Reds: Fowler, Simpson (Jolly 64), Cham, Smith, Douglas, Earl, Hebson, Wright (Symington 56), Waterston, Joel, Tinnion (Calvert 81). Subs (not used): Ryan, Taylor

Goals: Joel 10, 66, Smith 47, Waterston 52, Tinnion 61

Cleator Moor Celtic: Devine, Mahone, R Little, Johnston (Charlton 69), Jackman, Barnes, Birdsall, Rooney (D Little 45), Dunn (Weatherill 67), Hall, Close. Subs (not used): Woods

Goals: Close 20

Referee: Anthony Backhouse

Crowd: 246