JAMIE REED continued his brilliant start to life at Cefn Druids as the Ancients moved a step closer to emulating their memorable 2011/12 campaign.

Reed netted a second successive brace as Druids beat Pontardawe Town 2-0 to book a last eight spot for the first time since they lost the 2012 final to The New Saints.

“It’s magnificent to be in the quarter-finals,” said sporting director Huw Griffiths. “We’ve not been there for a long time and I’m really looking forward to the draw.”

Asked who he wants in Monday night’s quarter-final draw, Griffiths added: “A home draw and to avoid TNS and Connah’s Quay is what most people want.

“It’s nice to have a good distraction from the league regardless of who we get.”

Reed broke the deadlock in four minutes after the break from the spot as visiting Pontardawe proved a tough nut to crack.

The new signing added a late header from a corner, described by the former Wrexham and Chester attacker as an “absolute collectors item” to see Druids safely through.

“It was a job done. Not well done, but done,” said Griffiths. “Pontardawe made it hard for us and we weren’t at our best, despite dominating possessions.

“They frustrated us by banking us and we struggled, but we scored two goals, conceded none and are through to the next round.

“We know we’ve got to improve when we’ve got the ball and we’ve got things to learn, but we got the job done.”

Injuries allowed Griffiths to hand Morgan Daykin a full debut and the teenager impressed his boss.

“For his first start he did well,” said Griffiths, who hasn’t ruled out dipping into the transfer market before the end of the month. “You wouldn’t have been able to tell he was a teenager making his debut.

“We went with the players we had available and we are through.”

Pontardawe boss Andrew Stokes was delighted with his side - the lowest ranked left in the last 16 - and their performance at The Rock.

Stokes tweeted: “Wow! What a brave performance. So proud of our lads who delivered an excellent well organised & disciplined game plan that caused a good @CefnDruids to work hard to get the result late on.”