Colney Heath did their hopes of beating the drop for the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division the power of good with victory at St Panteleimon.

The Hertford-based hosts had beaten the Magpies 2-0 on their own Recreation Ground turf just 11 days earlier but it was George Georgiou's men that got the better of things at Hertingfordbury Park as they grabbed a potentially vital 2-1 success.

It lifts them to 17th in the standings, fourth from bottom, and one point ahead of both Arlesey Town and Hoddesdon Town, although they have played one game more.

Colney included Efenizo Owhe, who has made nine appearances for St Albans City Res this season, whilst on the bench was Theo Costa, a new signing from Cockfosters.

Bradley Shaw was back in goal ahead of the unavailable Liam Studley but one of the first things he had to do was fish the ball out of the net.

He had pushed out a stinging shot from Javonne Malloy on eight minutes but only as far as Alex Androutsos who made no mistake with the rebound.

Shaw then had to pull off a tremendous save minutes later to keep it at 1-0, stopping a cracking volley from Courtney Massay.

But slowly the Magpies got into the game and after Vladut Sighiartau had been stopped by Gustavo Nunes, the former Hertford Town man marked his return to his old ground by levelling on 20 minutes.

Jayden Silcott-Brown had surged into the box before being stopped by a trip and Sighiartau put the ball into the bottom corner from the penalty spot.

That's how it remained until half-time although St Panteleimon created two good chances to retake the lead, Massey's effort cleared off the line by Bradley Dixon-Smith and then Androutous shooting over from close range.

The second period saw the visitors carve out a couple of decent half-chances, Silcott-Brown and Sighiartau almost connecting, while a 25-yard free-kick from Serge Erkarslan struck the top of the crossbar and went over.

But this renewed optimism brought the winning goal.

George Taban picked up a loose ball outside the area and with nothing much on, he smacked a shot that flew beyond a stationary Nunes.

Silcott-Brown almost sealed the win but his close-range effort was blocked on the line by the keeper and while the hosts did launch the expected late charge, good saves from Shaw plus some solid defending ensured the Magpies claimed a huge three points.

London Colney remain bottom, 12 points adrift, with their only game coming on Tuesday, a 1-0 loss at home to St Panteleimon.

Harpenden Town meanwhile had two games.

They beat Potton United 4-1 on Saturday, before a 0-0 against Dunstable Town in midweek, both at home.

James Younger got two with one each for Jake Anthony and Josh Setchell at the weekend.

They sit 14th on 29 points.

Saturday sees Colney Heath host Aylesbury Vale Dynamos while Harpenden Town are at home to Baldock Town.

London Colney meanwhile go to Arlesey Town for a relegation battle while Hoddesdon Town, the other side in difficulty, are at home to Biggleswade United.