CUP kings Halesowen Town stormed into the last 16 of the FA Trophy with a stunning 3-1 win at Maidenhead United - a side THREE DIVISIONS above them in the non-league pyramid.

Yeltz earned themselves a third round tie at full-time former Football League club Halifax Town thanks to an inspired second half performance after boss Paul Smith made a half-time change in tactics.

Halesowen weathered a first half storm to go into the break 1-0 down, but it was a true game of two halves as Smith's troops netted three second half goals, also hitting the woodwork three times.

Paul McCone, Rob Evans and substitute McKauley Manning were on target for Yeltz, who were followed by more than 170 supporters for the 200-mile round trip on Tuesday night.

Smith said: "It was a very pleasing day at the office. and the second half performance was probably our best all season.

"We were rather fortunate to only go in 1-0 behind at the break, and were indebted to Brendan Bunn for pulling off two world class saves to help keep us in the match.

"I changed things around at half time - sometimes these changes work for you and you look like Jurgen Klopp, other times they don't and you can look like an amateur - thankfully this time it did!

"We were outstanding in the second half - to a man we were fantastic.

"The lads just keep taking things up a level and the run we have had so far in the Trophy has been a phenomenal achievement.

"We will go to Halifax full of confidence - yes, it's a huge test, but there's an inner belief in the squad."

Yeltz now turn their attention to league action when they travel to top of the table Corby Town on Saturday.

Halesowen currently sit third in the Southern Premier Division One Central table, six points adrift of Corby but with four games in hand.

Smith is sweating on the fitness of Paul McCone and Ahmed Ali for Saturday, while Andy Parsons has been ruled out for a month with an injury.