Hendon have progressed to the FA Cup second qualifying round after beating AFC Rushden and Diamonds 1-0 on Saturday – a game manager Gary McCann described as a banana skin.

Rushden and Diamonds, who were formed in 2011, compete in the United Counties League Premier Division – two steps below Hendon in the non-league pyramid but McCann felt the Diamonds gave his side a tough game in the competition.

He told the club’s website: “This was the proverbial banana skin, but we got through it.

“It was a struggle. We had good periods of possession and control but also had to rely on our goalkeeper for two very important saves at 0-0.

“They will be very disappointed to have lost and if they felt they were deserving of a replay, I would have no arguments.

“I am sure that they could hold their own at our level, and I think we will see them at Step Three in the next couple of years.”

Leon Smith got the game’s only goal in the 66th minute, though visiting Rushden could have been ahead had it not been for an excellent first-half save from Hendon goalkeeper Steve McNamara.

The goal came when Smith confidently rounded Rushden keeper Matt Finlay before firing home through a crowd of bodies.

Hendon’s reward for their progress is a home draw against Leiston, to be played on Saturday, September 27.

On Monday, Hendon dropped two points as they slipped to a 2-2 draw at home to Hampton and Richmond Borough.

Jesse Kewley-Graham put the Beavers in front after just 17 seconds, before Dave Diedhiou equalised in the 23rd minute.

Smith then scored for the second time in three days to set the Greens on their way to three points, only for Karle Carder to snatch a point for the visitors with five minutes of the contest remaining.

Wingate and Finchley have joined Hendon in the second qualifying round after beating Ipswich Wanderers 4-3 in a replay on Wednesday night.

The original tie ended in a 2-2 draw after the visitors, who play in the Eastern Counties League Premier Division, twice came from behind to set up a replay in Suffolk.

The Blues went 3-0 up in the replay, with Rob Laney netting twice in as many minutes.

A minute before half-time, Carl McCluskey – signed on a dual registration from Wealdstone last week – added the third.

However, the hosts struck back after the break through Craig Jennings.

Marc Weatherstone then put Wingate 4-1 up only for the Suffolk outfit to hit back through Ross Myhill and Jack Severy.

McCluskey and David Knight had been the scorers in Saturday’s original tie, with Paul Seward and Paris Tuizana scoring for Wanderers.

In the Spartan South Midlands League Division One, Edgware Town lost 2-0 at home to Welwyn Garden City.

Edgware host Bedford at Underhill on Saturday in their final game before moving to Silver Jubilee Park.