Molten Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division Colney Heath 1 Aylesbury Vale 0 FA Vase Second Qualifying Round St Margaretsbury 5 Colney Heath 1 THE Magpies picked up their first league win of the season on Saturday as they defeated Aylesbury Vale

Molten Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division

Colney Heath 1 Aylesbury Vale 0

FA Vase Second Qualifying Round

St Margaretsbury 5 Colney Heath 1

THE Magpies picked up their first league win of the season on Saturday as they defeated Aylesbury Vale at the Recreation Ground.

Management duo Scott Lacey and Wesley Awad set up their team with two banks of four to defend solidly and use their attacking flair to unlock the visitors.

New defender Nicky Winger and young goalkeeper Chris Eames excelled for the Magpies and striker Richard Howard again showed his class with an impressive display of front running.

Eames made three fine saves and the Magpies took the points thanks to a goal forced by Howard as his strike was diverted into the net by Vale defender James Baxter. Lacey said: "Nicky Winger was absolutely outstanding and Richard Howard worked extremely hard. Our new goalkeeper Chris Eames pulled off three great saves and he looks a massive prospect for the club. Aylesbury are one of the top teams and we showed that we can compete with them. The three points moves us up the league and all credit to the players. They did everything we asked of them."

Colney Heath were left counting the cost of a controversial refereeing decision as they exited the FA Vase at St Margaretsbury on Saturday.

Defender Dennis Parapusic was red card for fouling inside the penalty area but Heath joint boss Scott Lacey was baffled by the decision. He said: "With about 15 minutes to go they broke and our defender was the wrong side of his player. They tussled all the way down and he did foul him but the guy has gone through and hit a strike and missed the goal.

"The referee then brought it back and gave a penalty and sent off our defender for an offence which started near the halfway line. It was the most shocking decision I have ever seen. This has cost the club £2,000. We would have got £1,000 for getting through and had a game with Romford in the next round and they bring a good crowd. It is hard to take but all credit to St Margaretsbury. We dominated the second half until the penalty but with no real end product. St Margaretsbury were organised and defended well."

The Magpies had earlier conceded a sloppy opener before great work from winger Jake Parratt set up Richard Howard to make it 1-1.

St Margaretsbury regained the lead quickly and late in the second half took advantage of the penalty decision to extend the lead to 3-1. With 10 men, the Magpies were stretched and conceded two very late goals to go down 5-1.

This Saturday Colney Heath host league leaders Biggleswade Town with a 3pm kick off at the Recreation Ground. Lacey said: "It never stops in this league but they have lost three games so they are not unbeatable.