Hitchin Town followed up their FA Cup exit with defeat in the FA Trophy.

The Canaries had lost at home to Kettering Town in the famous old competition one week earlier and they were unable to bounce back against Stamford, losing 3-2 at Top Field to their Southern League Premier Division Central rivals.

The visitors had taken the lead on 21 minutes thanks to a wonderful overhead kick by Jack Duffy but Mark Burke's men levelled three minutes later, Finley Wilkinson slipping it under the keeper and a defender getting the final touch to put it in the net.

Parity lasted just four minutes as Duffy scored again for Stamford and two minutes later former Canary, Trey Charles, made it 3-1.

Dan Idiakhoa halved the gap 13 minutes into the second half, slamming a rebound into the roof of the net, but despite chances to equalise, no further goal was forthcoming.

But while the men's first team have suffered a fortnight of cup woes, Hitchin's youngsters are having much better luck.

They beat Shefford Town & Campton 3-2 in the second qualifying round of the FA Youth Cup to set up a tie at home with Bury Town.

All the goals came in the second half, Donte Ranger putting Hitchin two-up with a brace.

Shefford got their own quick-fire double to level the tie up again but the Canaries snatched the win when Ranger completed his hat -trick.

Back-to-back league wins have kept Stotfold on the fringes of the play-off places in Southern League Division One Central.

The latest success came in the derby clash at Barton Rovers, and the 3-0 success was thoroughly deserved.

They had already had one cleared off the line when they took the lead on 43 minutes through Henry Snee's sixth of the season.

Stotfold hit the bar midway through the second period but it wasn't until the final 10 minutes that they finally exerted their dominance, Lewis Franklin and Connor Vincent both getting their first goals for the club.

Speaking on Twitter, manager Brett Donnelly called it a "top Saturday".

He said: "It was a great result, a good performance and there’s some actual light at the end of the tunnel. The lads are finally realising what we are asking for.

"It could have been five or six against a good Barton side but our first away win and second win on the bounce."

In the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division, a goal nine minutes into second-half stoppage time by Matt Gilbert gave Arlesey Town a 1-0 home win over Sawbridgeworth Town.

Baldock Town were also celebrating after a 3-2 victory away to London Lions.

Troy Tizard-Cleghorn got two and Brandon Carney one as the Reds chalked up their fifth win of the campaign to move seventh.

Arlesey have three wins now and are 15th.

In Division One, Letchworth Eagles lost 1-0 away to Moulton while in Division Two, Codicote had a 2-0 home success over The 61 FC (Luton).

Liam Hayden got both of those goals to move Cod up to fifth.