A fantastic 10-minute cameo from the bench brought Charlie Gould two goals and gave a Harpenden Town a hard-fought 5-2 win over Buntingford Town.

Gould’s timely input in the last 10 minutes of the Herts Senior Centenary Trophy tie finally settled a game which had swung one way then another.

His first on 86 minutes saw him connect first-time with a Tom Collin pass while the second saw him head home from a corner.

Prior to that though Buntingford had threatened to overturn Harpenden’s lead for a second time.

Harpenden went ahead on 30 minutes as Alex Yearwood scored a superb solo effort.

But goals either side of half-time put the visitors to Rothamstead Park in front.

A penalty from Ross Barker levelled the scores on 40 minutes before Ben Antcliff pounced on a Town slip on 47.

The lead didn’t last too long as Collin fired in a magnificent volley three minutes later.

And Harpenden went ahead again midway through the half, Ben Warren turning and shooting low into the corner.

Buntingford continued to press and the result was still in doubt until Gould’s purple patch.

Manager Danny Plumb said: “We got a great reaction from the team in the second half after being 2-1 down but the pitch made it difficult in pretty bad conditions.

“All the youngsters played really well and, as well as Charlie, Alex Yearwood was always threatening and our keeper Jacob McLean made some great saves.

“It is good to see us into the next round.”

Harpenden’s next home game is on Tuesday, November 24 at 7.45pm when they face Colney Heath in the Herts County Shield.

That is followed on Saturday, November 28 against Ampthill Town in the Spartan South Midlands League Division One.