Paul Blackett scored twice as Moors made it through to the final four of the Durham Challenge Cup on Tuesday night with victory over Bishop Auckland at The Brewery Field.

Mark Anderson put Jason Ainsley’s men in front just before the half hour before Blackett nodded in a second not long after to put Moors in the driving seat.

However, Bishops produced a spirited second half showing and got themselves back into the game when Wayne Whitfield pulled a goal back, only for Blackett to net from close range to secure victory for Moors.

Moors made the early running in the quarter-final tie and Reece Kendall could have put them in front from Anderson’s left-wing corner but sent his header too high.

Corey McKeown was the architect of the first goal when he cut inside from the left to tee up Anderson and he swept the ball home to make it 1-0.

On 35 minutes Moors doubled their advantage. Again McKeown did well in the build-up and his cross was headed home from close range by Blackett for 2-0.

Anderson had a shot cleared off the line and saw a free kick from the edge of the box just clear the bar as Ainsley’s men continued to dominate in the early stages of the second half.

However, the visitors grew in belief as time went on and Callum Patton had an acrobatic shot cleared off the line by John Lufudu.

They got their reward on 78 minutes when a free kick was parried by Flatters, but Whitfield was in the right place to score from the rebound.

Niall McGoldrick flashed a header wide as Bishops threatened to level but Blackett made the game safe on 89 minutes when he fired home after the away side had failed to clear a cross from substitute Niall Short.

Full Time: Moors 3 Bishop Auckland 1

Moors: Flatters, Lufudu, Anderson (Mouat 76), Watt, Wheatley, Kendall, Mason, McKeown (Short 67), Blackett, Thompson, Barbosa.
Subs not used: Wood, Upperton, Mouat, Naylor, Short.

Referee: Sam Parnaby

Attendance: 327 (67 Bishop Auckland)