Alsager Town 0 Nantwich Town 5

DAVE Walker’s hat-trick eased Nantwich Town to the next stage of the Cheshire FA Senior Cup.

It preserves the Dabbers’ record of avoiding defeat on the road so far this season, and sends them into an FA Trophy clash with lower-ranked Kendal Town this weekend in optimistic mood.

Manager Phil Parkinson named a strong side to take on the Bullets, including half-a-dozen starters from Saturday’s win at Frickley.

However Troy Bourne made a first appearance for Nantwich this term, coincidentally against a club where he has been on loan, while youngster Jordan Bennion was introduced as a substitute.

The visitors took the lead after quarter of an hour when Ibou Touray threaded a ball down the line to Theo Stair, and his cross was converted emphatically by Walker.

A second goal followed for the front man when he slotted a smart finish past the hosts’ goalkeeper after running onto full-back Andy White’s pass.

And it was 3-0 shortly before the interval when White turned goalscorer with a powerful strike into the bottom corner.

Nantwich almost added to their lead from an unlikely source after captain Ben Harrison carried the ball forward from inside his own half to the edge of the hosts’ penalty area.

However Steve Jones, another playing for the first time this term after recovering from an injury, could not convert his cross from close range.

Alsager had an opportunity on 63 minutes, but former Nantwich trialist Jonny Kapend fired wide.

Substitute Sean Cooke increased the visitors’ lead with 10 minutes left, unleashing a stunning strike into the top corner after making room for a shot on the edge of the box.

Walker completed the scoring when he tapped in after another Harrison raid into Bullets’ territory.

Dabbers: Parton (GK), White, Touray, Bourne, Harrison, Sanders, Steve Jones (Abadaki 70), Riley (Cooke, 60), Walker, Theo Stair, Brooke (Bennion 73). Subs not used: Quinn, Curtis Jones.

Attendance: 88.