WITH the scalp of Lincolnshire League leaders Hykeham Town already bagged, Heckington were in confident mood to take on last season's finalists, Skegness.

And it was obvious the Lilywhites were going to have to up their game after two consecutive defeats.

But this they did to progress to the fourth round of the competition and put behind them this potential banana skin.

United, who have yet to drop a Lincoln League point, were in no mood to roll over for the Lincolnshire League champions and, as expected, they worked hard to unsettle their opponents.

Skegness had to compete to survive, but their nerves were settled after 15 minutes when Josh Bartlett rose to head home Ben Chapman's cross.

Town had a good shout for a penalty turned down after Liam Papworth appeared to be upended in the box.

Then Martyn Bunce had to rescue the visitors with a couple of excellent stops.

Passage into the fourth round draw was sealed ten minutes from the end when Appleby helped on Bunce's long clearance and Greg Brown crossed for Adam Shinn to slot home at the far post.

For Town this first clean sheet in six games was a confidence booster, after a couple of poor results.

On Saturday they return to league action with the visit of Grantham Town Reserves to Burgh Road.

Skegness Town: Bunce, Harris, Chapman, Bartlett, Murrell, Welbourn, Appleby, Shinn, Papworth, Tuplin, Brown, Lyon, Waters, Starkey.

• *

Skegness Town are planning to hold their annual bonfire and fireworks extravaganza at their Burgh Road ground, following Saturday's match. The event was postponed from November 5 due to poor ground conditions. The gates will open at 6pm.

Email us your news and views CLICK HERE