THEY called it – last week Chalfont St Peter said they might be an FA Cup banana skin for Hungerford and on Saturday they delivered on their promise with a 2-1 victory over the side placed sixth in the Southern League Premier Division.

Saints are essentially 31 places behind Hungerford but that counted for nothing as the side with a tradition for giant-killing did it again.

Manager Danny Edwards said: “We thoroughly deserved it. We dug in and it was a dogged performance against a very good side.

“With their quality and resources I’d expect them to be in the top four at the end of the season.

“But we did our research. We knew they had quality out wide and pace up front – we went one on one with them with two athletic full backs. It was brave but it worked.”

Alan Hedley gave Saints a dream start after three minutes, firing home from close range after centre back Gareth Paxton had got his head to a free-kick.

Hungerford came back hard and levelled from the penalty spot after 18 minutes.

A second goal nearly came during a dominant spell early in the second half, but Saints survived as Sam Grayley cleared off the line and keeper Mike McEntegart saved well after a shot against the post.

Having escaped those near misses, Saints’ belief began to grow and with 12 minutes of the match remaining Hedley carried the ball to the edge of the Hungerford area.

He found Glenn Yala and, despite a posse of defenders around him, he managed to spin and slot home the winner.

Their reward now is a trip to Kettering in the next round on September 27.

Kettering are top of the Southern League Central table and regularly attract 700 fans.

Edwards said: “Kettering are top of the table and I’d imagine there will be 800-1,000 fans at the game.

“But I would think they will be prioritising the league because it’s very important for a club of their size and with their resources to get out of this league.

“It would have been nice to play a team from a higher league. We could go there with nothing to lose.

“But I can’t imagine Kettering will be better than Hungerford. We’ll go there full of confidence and if we play like we did on Saturday who knows what we can do?”

First up though, Saints host Rugby Town on Saturday before MK Dons come to town next Wednesday night in the Berks and Bucks Cup.

Edwards said: “I’m not sure what team I’ll pick for MK Dons, I think it will depend on Saturday.

“If I was a player I’d want to play against MK Dons but as a manager I’ll prioritise Kettering.”