West Brom's Miller the thriller puts paid to to another giant killer

After 13 years of domination by England's big four, the Cup has suddenly runneth over with surprises but West Bromwich Albion were in no mood to allow Bristol Rovers to carry the flag for League One into the last four.

Miller time: Ishmael Miller hit a hat-trick

Miller's hat-trick, plus goals from James Morrison and Kevin Phillips, booked Albion into their first semi-final since 1982 and with the competition now wide open, sent their fans home dreaming of a first FA Cup win since the 1968 Jeff Astle final.

Tony Mowbray reminded his team, who are fourth in the Championship, that their priority remains promotion to the Barclays Premier League but his free-scoring side are now second-favourites for the trophy.

Mowbray said: "It was never a 5-1 game but it is a great credit to the quality of our strikers. We scored five in the last round at Coventry. For long spells it was physical and tough but we came prepared for that. We stuck to the job."

With 16 goals in four rounds and a commitment to a passing game, Mowbray sets up his team with two genuine wingers and two creative central midfielders behind powerful strike pair Roman Bednar and Miller.

They took a grip on the game with Morrison's opener in 16th minute. Bednar gave Danny Coles the slip on the edge of the box but Rovers goalkeeper Steve Phillips beat out his low drive. It wasn't his first good save, having already produced a fine double-stop to deny Miller and Jonathan Greening.

This time, however, the rebound fell to Morrison, who swept the ball confidently into the top corner. Dean Kiely made a brilliant reflex save as Rovers almost hit back instantly through Andy Williams, while Rickie Lambert wasted a glorious chance to level the scores when a miscued Williams shot landed at his feet in front of goal.

Lambert had scored six goals in the first five rounds but his sidefooter was feeble and Kiely dropped on to it gratefully.

Three minutes later, Miller produced the first glimpse of his raw ability. Collecting a pass on the Albion right with his back to goal, the 21-year-old rolled inside Joe Jacobson and smashed a left-footer past Phillips into the far corner.

Just as after the first goal, Rovers responded impressively and this time their efforts were rewarded when Craig Disley flicked on Stuart Campbell's corner at the near post and Coles forced it past Kiely.

Miller might have quashed any fightback with a couple of opportunities. First he skipped round goalkeeper Phillips and tripped, pleading for a penalty, although replays showed he slipped without contact and Mark Clattenburg was right not to award a spot-kick.

Early in the second half, the £1.4million signing from Manchester City was sent clear by Robert Koren but sliced his finish well wide and Albion were forced back under a spell of pressure until Miller's second — a gift courtesy of a poor header from centre-half Coles.

The team known as the Gas have played their part in a competition sponsored by an energy company but the final few moments were painful. Phillips supplied a typical sharp finish for the fourth before Miller completed his hat-trick five minutes from time when he was given space to pick his spot inside the post.

At a time when City manager Sven Goran Eriksson is scouring the world for a big hitman, here was one he let go, firing his new team towards Wembley.

"That's his first hat-trick in the professional game," said Mowbray. "We're trying to get his work rate up. He has undoubted quality and if he works as hard as he did here he will not be far off. I wouldn't like to have played against him. He has pace, strength and technical ability in abundance."

Rovers boss Paul Trollope was left to contemplate what might have been. "I'm proud of my players," he said. "It wasn't to be. We had good spells and if we'd scored at 2-1 it might have been different but their finishing was clinical. They are a top Championship side destined for the Premier League."