THE New Saints booked a place in the Welsh Cup semi-finals for the first time in six years with a 2-0 win over Cardiff Grange Quins.
But it took the champions the best part of two hours to end the resistance of the Welsh League Division 3 outfit, who belied their "minnows" tag with a superb performance at Park Hall.
The deadlock was finally broken just before half-time in the extra 30 minutes, when a Christian Seargeant free-kick eluded the visitors' defence and was nodded down by Phil Baker into the path of sub Matty Williams, who prodded home from close range.
Richie Partridge soon curled a shot against the far post but, eight minutes later, the Quins' hopes were finally ended when Craig Jones combined with Alex Darlington, who evaded a tackle from central defender Rhys Richards to add the second.
Extra-time had almost come as a relief for TNS who walked the tightrope of exit from the competition in the closing minutes of normal time.
Despite dominating possession they had been unable to seriously test keeper Nathan Newbury, while frontman Kalim Ali was a constant threat for the Quins and Richards hooked a first-half shot over the bar.
Ali went close five minutes before half-time after getting the better of Baker, while fourth round hero Matty Tanetta chipped another effort wide of the back post.
Newbury denied Chris Sharp in a one-on-one in the second-half but it took the Saints 59 minutes to win their first corner of the game before Darlington headed over from Marcus Giglio's cross and Sharp sent a 20-yarder whistling over the bar.
Newbury did well to tip over a Seargeant free-kick but Omar Abdillahi, who played for Carmarthen against the Saints in the 2005 final, almost produced a shock but fired straight at keeper Paul Harrison in the dying moments of normal time.
Once in front, the Saints never looked back and Williams should have added a third only to send his shot wide of the target.
Photo: Matty Williams finally beats Nathan Newbury to put the Saints in front.