A single goal from centre half Alan Mckie saw Marlow United progress to the last 16 of the Berks and Bucks Trophy overcoming a stubborn Highmoor Ibis United team and appalling weather conditions.

In a game of missed chances both teams failed to convert penalty kicks, Nicol seeing his effort saved for Marlow early in the second half, this after Mckie had given United the lead late in the first period, sweeping home Catalin’s corner from close range.

After an evenly contested first 45 minutes, Marlow upped their game and Highmoor were indebted to their keeper who made saves from Bushay and Catalin, the former also seeing two efforts cleared of the line.

United looked to be heading for the next round when Mckie was harshly deemed to have fouled his opponent on the edge of the area only for Highmoor’s Lawrence to see his penalty kick hit the inside of the post, run along the goal-line before rebounding off the opposite post and into the arms of grateful keeper Rundle all this with Highmoor protesting in vain that the ball had crossed the line.

Marlow saw out the remainder of the game to book a home tie with Aston Clinton for a place in the quarter-finals.

This Saturday, United travel to Bracknell to play Berks County in the Reading Senior Cup first round.