Harpenden Town scored a tense 1-0 victory against New Bradwell St Peter on Saturday at Rothamsted Park.

Ben Warren scored the only goal of the game in the 54th minute after New Bradwell were reduced to 10 men just before half-time, one of two red cards for the visitors.

Manager Danny Plumb said: “I am frustrated and disappointed that we didn’t do better against 10 men. At the end of the day three points is a good performance and Charlie Gould was exceptional coming back from injury but we should have beaten them well instead of hanging on.”

Levi Squillace was the man to get his marching orders following a crunching foul on Ben Warren.

The goal followed 10 minutes after the break and it was a family affair. Captain Tom Warren raced down the left and crossed for brother Ben to head the ball into the net.

There followed an agonising 35 minutes as Harpenden desperately defended their slender lead. Harpenden’s goalie Sam Taylor saved numerous corners as New Bradwell attacked.

Gould hit the crossbar and Ed Frost went close then the visitors lost a second man, Daniel Smith, for dissent right at the end.

This Saturday, Harpenden are at home to Baldock Town.