TOP of the table Studley stormed into the next stage of the FA Vase following a compelling 3-0 win over United Counties League side Long Buckby this week.

Andy Nicol netted twice with Gareth Evans also on target.

Studley boss Keith Draper said: "We dominated from start to finish. It was only a combination of good goalkeeping and poor finishing that prevented us from wrapping the game up by half time.

"It was always a case of how many goals we would win by - but there was always the fear that complacency would start to set in, especially as we'd played Long Buckby in a pre-season friendly and beaten them 5-0. Thankfully the outcome was never in doubt,"

Draper was equally delighted that his defence kept another clean sheet, their fourth in a row.

He added: "The fact we're not conceeding goals is equally important to me."

Draper also heaped praise on the match officials.

He admitted: "When they arrived, they were the youngest officials I had ever seen and I thought we were going to be in for a difficult afternoon.

"I was totally wrong, they were excellent, interacted with the players and were a pleasure to deal with."

Studley have now booked a home tie with Hanley Town in the next round of the FA Vase.

But there can be no let up on the league campaign as they visit fellow high fliers Chelmsley Town this Saturday who play on Coleshill Town's 4G pitch.

Draper revealed: "I've had to rotate the squad this season and it's always a difficult task having to leave players out, especially when everyone is playing so well.

"You can feel the disappointment when you leave a player out but the system keeps everyone on their toes. Nobody can afford to have a bad game."