A goal three minutes from the end gave Harpenden Town a comeback victory and sent them into the second round of the FA Vase - where they have landed a road trip.

Danny Webb's double secured a 2-1 win over Fakenham Town at a delighted Rothamsted Park with the second round being the furthest Harps have ever made in the national competition.

Their reward is a clash with Rayleigh Town and manager Micky Nathan, whose father Johnny won the first Vase final back in 1975 with Hoddesdon Town, was delighted with the team's performance.

He said: “We were pretty good box to box [although the] first half we didn’t quite get it right, the final ball again let us down.

“But I can’t fault their work rate, I thought they were outstanding.

“We gave them the instructions at half-time of what to do - be patient, keep the ball, if we need to go one more pass, go one more pass.

“They’re a good side and we knew it was going to be a tough game, they’re top of their league for a reason; but I thought we dug in and showed true grit and character.”

Harpenden Town's Danny Webb (right) celebrates their late winner in the FA Vase. Picture: TOBY HOWEHarpenden Town's Danny Webb (right) celebrates their late winner in the FA Vase. Picture: TOBY HOWE (Image: Toby Howe) Webb lead the line and the boss had praise for his match-winner.

He said: “Webby got two goals and he thoroughly deserved that playing up top.

“He’s worked his socks off for 90 plus minutes today."

Fakenham led after nine minutes; a failed clearance from a free-kick opened the chance up for captain Jake Watts to score past Liam Gauthier in the Harps goal.

The equaliser came five minutes into the second half, the ball dropping kindly on the edge of the box and Webb's half volley finding its way through.

The winner came from a free-kick fired into the box.

Webb headed down and across goal and it with a crowd converging on it it found its way across the line.

The second round tie will take place on Saturday, November 9.

Colney Heath could not join them, however, beaten 2-0 at home to fellow Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division side Potton United.

The Magpies are on a poor run of form, with seven straight defeats in the league, but had reached the first round after a 4-3 penalty shoot-out win over Stanway Rovers following a 0-0 draw.

And history almost repeated itself with another goal-less 90 minutes taking the sides to another shoot-out.

This time though things did not go Heath's way.

After Potton had scored their first, Mickey Shuttlewood's attempt was saved by James Hoskins.

Jamie Fulton, Sam Ejayyha and Jonas Kolanda did score their next three before Potton missed their fifth and final penalty.

It meant George Hughes had to score to take it into sudden death but he didn't, his low shot down the middle hitting the keeper's feet and bouncing over the bar, to give Potton a 4-3 win.

They will play away to Walsham Le Willows in the next round.

Aside from Harpenden and Potton, only London Lions, Biggleswade United and Tring Athletic from the SSML made it through.

Lions beat Hadleigh United 2-0, Biggleswade saw off Letchworth Eagles 1-0 while Tring won 3-0 at fancied Saffron Walden Town.