MIDDLEWICH Town stunned Cheshire League champions Linotype on Saturday to reach the last eight of the Cheshire FA Amateur Cup.

Mike Evans netted twice, while Dean Burgess, Callum Priestley and Sam O’Sullivan were also on target as the Witches embarrassed higher-ranked opponents at Seddon Street.

They established a slender lead by the break when visiting shot-stopper Aaron Tyrer dropped a Chris Yearsley free kick into the path of Burgess, who poked home.

The hosts came out firing after the interval, and doubled their lead when Evans – after making an interception – skipped past two defenders before firing left-footed into the net.

And Town made it 3-0 shortly after the hour mark when Priestley collected a perfectly-weighted James Dean pass before finishing smartly.

The Linotype goalkeeper’s afternoon worsened seven minutes later when he attempted to dribble out of danger, only for Evans to pick his pocket and the attacker rolled the ball into an empty net.

Ash Harrison went close for the visitors when his attempt hit the bar, while Tyrer saved O’Sullivan’s curling shot at the other end.

Linotype found a reprieve with 13 minutes left when Burgess committed a foul in the box and Phil Youille converted coolly from the spot.

But Town replied when Dean found O’Sullivan five minutes later, and the skipper checked back before placing a low shot from the edge of the area inside the near post.

The Witches did, however, end the game a man down after Burgess received a second caution.

They return to league duty on Saturday when they visit Pilkington, kick off 2pm.