Dan's the man as Hendon march on!

Having your goalkeeper confined to bed with flu on the afternoon of a crucial cup tie is not usually good news, but it worked out magnificently for Hendon when they travelled to Slough Town in their FA Trophy Third Qualifying Round Replay last night.

Slough had already beaten three of our sides- Dulwich Hamlet, Maldon & Tiptree and Folkestone Invicta- in cup competitions prior to this match, and came close to defeating the Greens on Saturday at Silver Jubilee Park, when only an equaliser by Kezie Ibe at the death kept Hendon in it. Last night was almost Saturday's match in reverse, Hendon leading for most of the ninety minutes only to concede a last gasp equaliser. Extra time couldn't break the deadlock so a penalty shootout was the order of the day- and up stepped a new hero- Dan Purdue.

Under 18's keeper Dan, drafted in at almost the last minute as Tom Lovelock's replacement, capped an assured performance by saving two penalties (and looking at the video may have got a touch on a third, which hit the bar), before being mobbed by his team mates who will now face Bath City or Margate in the First Round Proper. City and Margate drew at Twerton Park last night, and the replay is next week on the Kent coast. Congratulations Dan- we're sure this will be the start of a magnificent green career!

Back in the League, and the Premier Division hosted two important victories at the top end of the table. Billericay Town closed the gap on Dulwich Hamlet to six points with five games in hand, with an important and hard fought victory at Harrow Borough- Jake Robinson shaking off man-flu (his words) to fire the Blues ahead from the penalty spot on the hour mark before Adam Cunnington made the points safe with four minutes remaining. Folkestone Invicta went goal crazy, walloping five past poor Enfield Town, who managed only a single consolation. Invicta moved into third place, doubles from Adam Yusuff and loanee Johan Ter Horst sandwiching a Sam Hasler goal after Simon Thomas had given Enfield the lead.

In the North Division AFC Hornchurch travelled to Mildenhall Town and scored an incredible six times to go top of the table, including a Leon McKenzie hat trick. Previous leaders Dereham Town lost their second match in succession, falling to a last-gasp home defeat to Grays Athletic, Adeyinka Cole with the only goal.

Bowers & Pitsea are fourth, winning the battle of the ampersands in beating Maldon & Tiptree 4-2, whilst Potters Bar Town came from behind to defeat Haringey Borough 2-1. Soham Town Rangers won by the solitary goal at AFC Sudbury, whilst Waltham Abbey and Tilbury shared four goals.

The only winners in the South Division were Hythe Town, who defeated VCD Athletic 2-1, whilst Molesey and Thamesmead Town shared six goals to take a point each, Herne Bay and Horsham shared two with the same outcome.

Tonight we have matches in the FA Trophy, where Heybridge Swifts host Kingstonian in a replay, and in the South Division, where Cray Wanderers and Lewes host Ramsgate and Phoenix Sports respectively.

All images courtesy of DBeechPhotography for more like these follow on Twitter here.