COMEBACK kid Stuart Rudd gave FC United a taste of what they've been missing as he climbed off the subs' bench to fire them into the UniBond President's Cup quarter-finals.
Rudd showed he's not lost his scoring touch during a long injury absence by latching on to Rory Patterson's cross to net an 82nd minute winner against Rossendale.
Patterson had earlier broke the deadlock with a clever 55th minute lob over the advancing Lee Bracey and, though Matt Edgington pulled a goal back after Rudd had made it 2-0, the rebel Reds held on to book a last-eight trip to Nantwich.
FC UNITED boss Karl Marginson conceded his off-key Rebels had been fortunate to beat 10-man Chorley to stay in the slipstream of UniBond First Division North leaders Curzon Ashton.
The lowly Magpies stunned Marginson's men when Stephen Burke gave them an eighth-minute lead, but the visitors then had Gavin Lee-Ellison sent off after he appeared to push Jerome Wright in the face.
Rory Patterson's 41st minute free-kick put FC back on terms, but they then had a series of lucky escapes and were relieved when substitute Simon Carden finally killed off Chorley with a 76th minute headed strike securing a win which takes them up to fourth.
"We were certainly not at our best," admitted Marginson, whose FC side have now taken 13 points from the last 15 to restore hopes of a third successive promotion.
Victory keeps the Rebels six points behind leaders Curzon, who ended their mini-slump in style by thrashing Bridlington 6-0, with Mike Norton helping himself to a hat-trick.
RORY Patterson struck a hat-trick as back-to-form FC United stepped up their promotion assault in the UniBond League First Division North.
Patterson, fresh back from suspension, sensationally struck twice within four minutes of being introduced early in the second half.
Earlier, Jerome Wright's 14th-minute opener had been cancelled out by a Gareth Hamlett equaliser for the Lilywhites.
Patterson then struck his quick-fire double to make it 3-1, but skipper Lee Connor then pulled a goal back for Mossley.
Nicky Platt added FC's fourth before Patterson completed his treble with a last-minute penalty, ensuring FC United took full advantage of the fact that league leaders Curzon Ashton's game at Garforth was called off.