Wes Tate scored twice as Eastbourne United booked a place in the semi-finals of the FA Vase with a 2-1 win at home to Ampthill Town.

Tate scored once in each half to send the County League division two leaders into the last four of the competition for the first time in their history.

They are now just a two-legged semi-final away from an appearance at Wembley.

It was the visitors who settled the quicker and had a decent shout for a penalty on 19 minutes when skipper Robbie Goodman was caught in the penalty area but referee Robert Whitton waved away appeals.

The deadlock was broken on 35 minutes when Joe Dryer flicked on a header to Tate, on the touchline 35 yards from goal. There did not look much on for him but he unleashed an audacious shot which beat goalkeeper Martyn Conway and dipped in under the crossbar.

In first-half stoppage Warren Garcia went close to an equaliser with another long-range strike which skimmed the top of the crossbar.

Six minutes into the second half the visitors were reduced to ten men when right-back Mark Bunker, already booked, chopped down Jack Franklyn and was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Despite their disadvantage, Ampthill drew level on 57 minutes when Tyrone Taylor drilled a corner home past a defender on the line.

Ryan McBride had a chance to restore the advantage after being played in behind the defence by Dryer but keeper Conway saved well.

A second goal arrived 13 minutes from time with Tate smashing the ball home from close range after the ball spooned up after Peter Featherstone tried to force home McBride’s flick-on.

With three minutes remaining Taylor powered a header goalward from Phil Draycott’s corner and goalkeeper Grant Young superbly clawed it away.

In stoppage time Ampthill went down to nine men when Steve Flux was sent off for a second bookable offence.