HAYWARDS H 1, ALTON TN 0

MAX Miller scored the only goal of the game as Haywards Heath squeezed past Alton Town into the second round of the FA Vase.

The Sussex side went into the tie on the back of a 14-game winning run in the Southern Combination Division One, but Alton proved tough opponents, showing just why they had knocked out higher-ranked Bracknell in the previous round.

Both sides defended well in a goalless first half, with Alton giving as good as they got in attack.

Heath would have taken the lead but for a spectacular block from Kurt Greenaway to divert Miller’s effort wide of goal after the striker had rounded Mo Nyamunga.

However, Alton had the best chance of the half. Greenaway, who was a threat all afternoon, did well to get to the byline before cutting the ball back to Luke Perkins who, with the goal gaping, was denied by a superb block on the line by Rogers.

The all-important breakthrough came on 70 minutes. Nyamunga made a pointblank save from Tom Graves, but Miller was there to blast the loose ball into the back of the net.

From the restart, Alton were almost back on level terms as they won a corner and Oli Graham’s header cannoned off the crossbar.

As Haywards Heath looked to shut up shop, Alton mustered one final chance in the 89th minute. The outstanding Greenaway got in front of his marker at the near post, but headed into the sidenetting, much to Heath’s relief.

Alton Tn: Nyamunga; Phillips, Taylor, Wright, Adkins; Hayes, Graham; Peck, Fox, Greenaway; Perkins. Subs: Clarke, Greeves, Denham, Westbrook, Hunter.