FEW people expected Vics to sink the Fleet.

That they did so in such convincing fashion - the outcome was never in doubt after Gareth Griffiths had opened the scoring - seemed an even less likely possibility before kick off.

But now their fans fancy a day out to Wembley.

If they can repeat this performance in the final four then that dream could become reality.

Steve Burr's side ground down Gravesend, ironic considering the Fleet have stamped their trademark on gritty victories since the start of the season. They even have one at the Victoria Stadium in their collection.

Unfortunately for them Northwich are a team transformed since New Year's Day. Two goals in five minutes after the interval allowed them to ease into the final four.

Gareth Griffiths powered home Carlos Roca's corner on the half hour to break the ice, but it was their red hot start to the second half that burned Liam Daish's men.

Richard Battersby repeated his trick from Tuesday for the second, collecting Danny Mayman's short corner before skidding a shot past everybody from the corner of the box on 55 minutes.

And debutant Matthew Shaw made his mark when he smuggled Paul Brayson's cross past Lance Cronin four minutes later.

Ben Connett's brilliant penalty save - after Mark Roberts had been punished for handball - served as a party piece.

Before then Vics had already got the better of Gravesend.

Carlos Roca's dazzling dribble almost conjured a goal inside three minutes, but James Smith spotted his cut back. Keeper Cronin then did his best to gift a goal when he spooned a clearance straight at Shaw, but the new boy's shot was wild.

Kieran Charnock returned the favour when he presented Alex Varney the ball on the edge of his own box, but Charlie MacDonald drive was smothered by Roberts following his strike partner's lay off.

Cronin's calamities continued when he miscued to Michael Carr, only this time he scampered back in time to flop onto the ball.

Fleet then should have hit the front.

But Mark Rickett's showed mercy when heading wide Sacha Opinel's perfect centre from six yards.

Griffiths scored soon afterwards.

A Gravesend goal was chalked off when James Smith climbed on Charnock's shoulder, before Battersby doubled Vics' advantage.

There was confusion when it appeared Brayson had got a boot on the ball, but the full back was having none of it. Shaw's strike sent the Danebank into rapture.

Mayman fizzed a scorching shot inches over from Michael Carr's clever pass, before Varney scuffed a sitter wide from under the crossbar after sub Joel Ledgister had crafted an opening.

Roberts, bizarrely wearing Andy Smart's number 29 shirt throughout, was unlucky to concede the spot kick on 79 minutes, but Connett second guessed Liam Coleman to keep his sheet clean.

Vics were left to wonder what might yet be.

STAR MAN: Gareth Griffiths.

VICS (4-4-2): 20-Connett, 2-Battersby, 4-Griffiths, 6-Charnock, 5-Elliott (29-Smart 28), 7-Mayman, 28-Roberts, 8-Carr, 11-Roca (26-Beaumont 81), 10-Brayson, 31-Shaw.

Subs not used: 1-Senior (GK), 18-Townson, 24-Barwick.

Goals: 4-Griffiths 31, 2-Battersby 55, 31-Shaw 59.

Booked: 28-Roberts, 29-Smart (both fouls).

FLEET (3-5-2): 1-Cronin, 5-James Smith, 6-McCarthy, 20-Ross Smith, 11-Keeling, 15-Ricketts (16-Coleman 60), 7-Slatter, 8-Quinn, 3-Opinel (27-Ledgister 61), 10-MacDonald (18-Moore 60), 26-Varney.

Subs not used: 21-Mott (GK), 12-Sodje.

Booked: 6-McCarthy, 26-Varney (both fouls).

Attendance: 810.

Referee: M Oliver (Ashington).