Colney Heath and Harpenden Town both played twice - with the Magpies in particular picking up a potentially vital result.

The 1-0 win over Potton United on Saturday had lifted the Magpies out of the relegation places, Theo Costa scoring in the second half after latching onto to a great diagonal ball from Vladut Sighiartau and driving it low beyond the keeper.

And they backed it up on Tuesday with a 0-0 draw against Hoddesdon Town, the side who had gone into the bottom two.

Both have now got their heads above water, Arlesey Town slipping into trouble, and while the Magpies have played more games than their two rivals, they are starting to put together a run of form that may yet save their skins.

These results takes them to seven points from the last 12 available, and facing 10 games left in the campaign.

Saturday's win saw a number of new signings, including former Welwyn Garden City striker Stephen Dodd, as manager George Georgiou tries to find the survival formula

Sighiartau had a free-kick pushed over the top while another of the new faces, Jamaal Radway had an effort from the edge of the box again stopped by Craig Foxall in the Potton goal.

Sighiartau hit the post in the second half before Costa scored and Bradley Dixon-Smith nearly made it two just minutes later but his fierce low drive was pushed around the post by the keeper.

Dodd had a goal ruled out for an infringement while James Samways also went close.

Potton did press late on but Liam Studley and his defence was unmoved and Heath took the three points.

Harpenden made it six games without defeat with their second and third wins in a row.

Jake Anthony scored two and James Younger one as Harpenden Town won 3-2 away to Risborough Rangers on Saturday.

Tuesday's success was a 1-0 win at home to Ardley United, Josh Rodrigues on target, a result which moved them back into the top 10 after a few months absence.

London Colney though lost 1-0 at St Panteleimon to remain bottom of the table.

There was good news for two of the ladies teams at both Colney Heath and Harpenden.

Harps are now second in the Beds & Herts Premier Division after a 2-0 win over Hartham United.

The hosts had skimmed the top of the crossbar with a header in 10 minutes as Harpenden were getting used to the bumpy pitch, but the visitors soon found their groove.

Cally Salter and Belle Shannon had both gone close when the pair combined to give their side a 22nd-minute lead, the former getting the goal with a clever lofted shot.

Further chances followed before half-time but none of them hit the net.

The closest was a thunderbolt from Shannon that smacked against the face of the crossbar.

Chances continued to fall to them after the break but it wasn't until midway through the half that they doubled their lead.

Leah Crocket and Rosie Makamian were the architects with Jael Muzzi the scorer, firing low inside the near post from a tight angle.

Hertford Town lead the standings on goal difference from Harpenden, seven as opposed to five, while Langford in third are also on 19 points but with a plus-four difference.

Harpenden though have played one game less than the leaders and four fewer than Langford.

The latter started the day top but were well-beaten by Colney Heath Res who ran out 4-1 winners at the Recreation Ground.

The hosts did fall behind early when Leah Holmes put Langford in front but by half-time the Magpies were 3-1 ahead.

Olivia Corbett fired them level from 10 yards, Bora Cela getting the assist, and three minutes later Elisabeth Cunningham scorinf after good work from Madison Gorton.

Abbey Williams got the third on 32 minutes.

And they continued to pressurise the visitors after the break, but were only able to score one more, Cunningham getting her second after a cross from Hope Hume.

St Albans City Youth had a number of games in the West Herts Youth League.

The U13 Orient beat Watford Town 4-3 at home in the league cup, the visitors from three divisions above. Louis Chen got a hat-trick, taking his tally for the season to 30, while Zak Stamp got the fourth.

The U16 Arrows won 6-0 against their Dragon club-mates in Division Four thanks to goals from Joe Clinton (three), Zak Hancock (two) and Dominic Powell.

The U16 Central won 6-2 away to Bushey & Oxhey in Division Two. Roarke Silcox was the hat-trick hero in this one with Jack Reeves on two and Sam Johnston one.

A 5-0 win sent the U16 South through in the league cup against Everett Rovers Black. Freddie Yeo (two), Jacob Nyamupingidza, Finn Scully and Max Butterworth were on target for them.

George Wilson, Alejandro Wood and Mitchell Banks all scored in a 3-2 win for the U18 Orient at Belstone Black in Division Three.

And in Division Two, the U18 North fought back to earn a point in a 3-3 draw with Kinsbourne Youth, Adam Savvides, Mackenzie Gibson and George Eyers their scorers.