A superb goal ten minutes from time by Leroy Odd settled this tight encounter on a blustery windswept night at the Grass Roots Stadium in Tring.

The first half was a tight affair with neither keeper really tested. The Bedford and District League looked the better organised team but were unable to use this to their advantage.

The closet either team came to scoring was a strike from Alex Russell from the Bedford league which whistled passed the bar just before half time.

The second half was far more open with chances a plenty. Paul Kealy the Spartan South Midlands keeper made a number of excellent saves to keep them in the game.

He first saved one on one from Odd and then reacted well to save from one of his own players who deflected a cross goalwards.

However the Bedford League finally scord when Odd, from Caldecote FC, controlled a free kick with his back to goal, turned the defender and curled the ball at pace into the top corner from 20 yards.

This capped a fine performance by Odd who had recently returned from injury. Bedford League held on and now look forward to an away trip to the Anglian Combination League in the next round.