After a 1-1 draw three days earlier, Brooks scored two and was involved in a third as his side’s 4-2 replay victory set up a preliminary round tie at Bishop’s Cleeve on August 30.

The first real chance fell to the hosts after 20 minutes but Brett Denham’s low shot was well saved by Chris Grace, who gathered the ball at the second attempt.

Both sides seemed intent on gifting possession to each other for most of the half, but the profligacy was matched with equally poor creativity in the final third.

However, decent build-up play between Tadley substitute Tammy Sotoyne and Jason Kingston set up Scott Kinge after 37 minutes, but his shot sailed wide.

That miss proved costly, as within three minutes the hosts gifted Ascot the chance to take the lead.

Brooks was needlessly tripped on the edge of the penalty area and Rob Saunders delivered a free kick, from which Brooks powered home a terrific header.

The same pair almost conjured a second goal in the dying moments of the half, but this time Brooks’ header drifted agonisingly wide and the Yellamen were content with a one-goal lead at the interval.

The visitors started the second-half brightly and, after Adam Harman saw his shot saved, Ascot were soon in total control.

Firstly, good work by Joe Gritt and Brooks allowed the overlapping Rob Gier to race through and plant a neat finish past Tom Hindmarsh.

Then Leon Yarnie’s trickery ended with Harman’s cross being turned into Tadley’s net for an own-goal, which gave Ascot breathing space.

Leading 3-0 inside 50 minutes, the Yellamen remained eager for more goals and Harman should have been awarded a penalty during a fine spell.

As it was, justice was done when Harman was impeded and awarded a less clear-cut penalty soon afterwards.

Brooks showed no mercy and confidently buried the resultant 63rd minute spot-kick to make it 4-0.

Denham gave his side hope with a deflected 70th minute header before Gritt’s volley was well tipped over for Ascot.

Tadley then clipped home a late second as Ascot threatened to make their passage more difficult than it should have been, but the visiting defence and Chris Grace were equal to the remaining threat.

The Yellamen will need to improve if they are to trouble their higher-level opponents, but Jeff Lamb will be heartened by the third quarter of the game where his side were simply unstoppable.

If they can reproduce that form from the start against Bishop’s Cleeve then his side will have a real chance of causing an upset.

Ascot United return to Hellenic Premier action this Saturday when they welcome Newbury to The Racecourse (3pm ko).

They are at home again on Bank Holiday Monday, when rivals Bracknell Town visit (3pm).