Stansted 1 Barkingside 1 Missed chances cost Stansted on Tuesday night as they were held by Barkingside in the League Cup. The Airportmen got off to a nightmare start at Hargrave Park, falling behind after just four minutes following a set piece. However,

Stansted 1 Barkingside 1

Missed chances cost Stansted on Tuesday night as they were held by Barkingside in the League Cup.

The Airportmen got off to a nightmare start at Hargrave Park, falling behind after just four minutes following a set piece.

However, Stansted didn't let their heads drop and peppered the visitors goal, finally getting their reward just after half-time when captain Michael Palmeteri side footed home Paul Seymour's whipped-in cross.

The hosts continued to dominate and their best chance of the half came after 55 minutes. Bradley Walsh met a Danny Dobson cross with a textbook header that was arrowing towards the bottom corner, but somehow the visiting keeper got down and palmed the ball away.

"We gave ourselves an uphill task conceding so early, but we battered them after that," said Stansted manager Terry Spillane.

"It was one of the most one-sided games I've been involved in this year and their keeper was man of the match, which tells a story. We hit the bar, the post, and the keeper pulled off several great saves that you don't expect keepers to be making at this level

"It's disappointing but I'd be more concerned if were weren't creating the chances and we stopped the rot, which was important."

Stansted 1 Daventry 2

Stansted had their FA Vase dreams shattered on Saturday, going out at the first hurdle against Daventy United.

The United Counties League Division One side took advantage of a sluggish start by the Airportmen racing into a two-goal lead, but Stansted hit back and came close to levelling the tie on several occasions.

"We turned an ant hill into a mountain conceding two early goals," said Spillane.

"It was like the alamo in the second half but there was a catalogue of missed chances from us. We are disappointed as it was a a very winnable game."

Daventry started strongly and took the lead in the ninth minute, when Tommy Waldock planted a close range header firmly past Matt Cope in the Stansted goal.

They doubled their advantage after 26th minutes, Tony Burt giving Cope no chance with his effort from close-in to give Stansted an uphill task.

The Airportmen didn't let their heads drop and took the game to Daventry, but couldn't find a way past visiting keeper Roger Leeson until the hour mark. Danny Dobson played in Danny Dow and he fired into an unguarded net to halve the deficit.

Stansted pushed forward looking for the equaliser, their best chance coming in the last minute, but Ben Collins saved on the line to deny the hosts.

On Saturday Stansted visit local rivals Sawbridgeworth in the Essex Senior League.

"It will be a new experience for myself and the players and we are all looking forward to it," said Spillane. "I know there is a good friendly rivalry between the clubs so it will be a tough game.

"It's a local derby so league table position doesn't come into it. Whoever wins the physical battle will win the game."

Stansted should be boosted by the return of Sam McCarthy and Tony Barnes.

- The Airportmen will appeal the red card of Michael Palmeteri in the FA Cup clash at Stotfold.

"It was not a clear sending off in my eyes and we hope he will get his ban reduced at least," said the Stansted manager.