Dunstable go out as Hemel triumph

The Blues were without the suspended Ben Herd, while Jemale McKenzie-Lowe and Lee Roache were both injured and Tony Burnett cup-tied.

Dunstable struggled to get going as David Hutton and Chris Marsh set up Scott Davies, but he fired well wide.

Anthony Charles headed off target, before Hemel took the lead on 37 minutes when an excellent cross from Kyle Connolly was headed home by Ben Mackey.

Blues thought they had a leveller when Davies’ free kick was headed into the net by Charles, but he was adjudged offside.

Dunstable keeper Luke Chambers was at full stretch to deny an own goal, while at the other end, Adam Watkins shot wide.

The crucial second goal then arrived just after the hour mark when a splendid cross by James Simmonds was finished well by James Potton.

The Blues threatened sporadically afterwards, but couldn’t beat Laurie Walker, while visiting keeper Chambers also produced two fine stops.

Marsh was then denied by Walker as Dunstable failed to muster a fightback and they return to league action at Hungerford Town tomorrow night.

Hemel Hempstead: Laurie Walker, Ed Asafu-Adjaye, Kyle Connolly, Jordan Parkes, Kieran Murphy, James Brighton, Daniel Talbot, Wes Daly, James Potton (Oliver Hawkins 71), Ben Mackey (James Simmonds 65), Jamal Lowe (Lewis Toomey 61).

Subs not used: Luke Allen, Leon Lobjoit, Jorell Johnson, Charlie May.

Dunstable: Luke Chambers, Scott Davies, Anthony Charles, Nick Beasant, Shane Blackett, Adam Watkins (Elliot Sandy 55), Steven Gregory, Charlie Henry, Gary Mulligan, David Hutton (Ryan Plowright 62), Christopher Marsh.

Subs not used: Tony Fontanelle, Ben Barnes.

Referee: Ian Rathbone.

Attendance: 544.