Tranmere Rovers 0 Runcorn Linnets 4 (match played at APEC Taxis Stadium, Runcorn)
Report by Dave Bettley with pictures from Peter Cantwell
Linnets stretched their unbeaten run to five games under recently-appointed boss Brad Cooke - and seven matches in all - with a comfortable victory against a plucky young Tranmere side.
The win sends the hosts into their second semi-final of the season, advancement in the Liverpool Senior Cup matching their progress so far in Cheshire's equivalent competition.
Both sides had to battle strong winds, a spell of torrential rain after half-time and the biting cold, which has blighted many APEC Taxis Stadium fixtures of late.
The two main storylines, however, were a long-awaited return to scoring form for Peter Wylie in the first half and into the last 10 minutes an equally well-received playing comeback for club captain James Short after a lengthy absence through illness.
Linnets' superiority was underlined by three more goals after the break, contrasting individual efforts from Eden Gumbs and Naim Arsan being separated by Karl Clair's strike direct from a corner.
Lewis Doyle was missing, having aggravated a groin injury when scoring Runcorn's opener in Saturday's 3-2 Northern Premier League West win at Chasetown while skipper Jacques Welsh was another absentee.
Jorge Dwyer came into the starting line-up to earn the man-of-the-match award for an energetic display.
Lewis Crane, the matchwimmer in Staffordshire, is cup-tied.
Callum Grogan, having sustained a weekend head wound, was rested to the bench as Cooke rotated his squad.
Runcorn were on top for long periods, although Tranmere almost put an early spanner in the works.
Bayleigh Passant pulled off a stunning save from a rebound effort by Rui Clarke Phillips, whose initial shot had been blocked before reaching the 'keeper.
Rovers' captain Seb Henderson then miscued with the goal at his mercy after another break on the Rovers right.
The rest of the half belonged to Runcorn with Wylie flashing in a 20th-minute header from a deep right-wing crosss by Luke Wall.
This was only the fifth Linnets goal for the defender, on his 190th appearance.
The last of his previous four had come during the player's initial spell with the club - in a 5-3 FA Trophy first qualifying round victory at home to Pontefract Collieries on October 29th 2019.
Ryan Brooke came closest to consolidating the lead with a similar leap, beating Reuben Egan, the lone senior player in the visiting ranks but hitting the left post.
Runcorn had put a lot of efforts on goal but not on target.
After the restart, Passant was solidly behind a shot by James Hawkins, who swivelled on a through ball into the box but slipped slightly at the point of contact.
Normal service was soon resumed with Linnets managing to keep the ball moving, despite the pitch suffering from the heavy downfall.
Gumbs secured his home team's position with their second goal, after weaving through the Rovers defence in the 58th minute.
The youthful Tranmere side, featuring students from their education programme, had defended doggedly under pressure but inevitably tired towards the end.
Karl Clair was credited with Runcorn's 78th-minute third direct from a corner on tne left, although questions were raised as to whether or not Washington had got a touch on it.
A flurry of substitutions involved Short making his first playing appearance since early November.
He resumed in his usual left back berth with fellow sub Jay Lee consequently moving across to the right as Cooke tested the versatility of his squad.
Lee, the club's impressive Under 21s captain, got more valuable game time after his brief debut in the Cheshire Senior Cup quarter-final rout of 1874 Northwich.
Naim Arsan, having been given a rare breather on the bench, was introduced in right midfield before being moved to his preferred position on the left.
Having already gone close to replicating Gumbs' earlier effort - hitting just wide after a similarly mesmerising run - Arsan brought the curtain down on a commanding Runcorn performance.
As the ball dropped invitingly just outside the box a minute into stoppage time, the Welshman scored with an audacious left-foot lob.
Runcorn are back in league action this Saturday when City of Liverpool, stranded at the foot of the table, are their visitors.
Runcorn Linnets: Bayleigh Passant, Peter Wylie, Eden Gumbs (Przemek Staniszewski, 85 mins), Lewis Nolan (Naim Arsan, 59 mins), Joe Ferguson (James Short, 82 mins), Harvey Washington, Adam Moseley, Jorge Dwyer, Ryan Brooke (Jay Lee, 72 mins), Karl Clair, Luke Wall. Sub not used: Alex Ellams (GK).
Attendance: 382.
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