A Joe Newton goal was enough for Colney Heath to secure maximum points on the road as they claimed a 1-0 victory at Cockfosters.

Saturday's win leaves Heath sixth in the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division, five points behind Potton United but with games in hand on all the teams above them in the table.

The victors had to wait until the 74th minute to make the breakthrough when Newton raced in at the back post to convert from close range after Harry Shepherd had cut the ball across the six-yard box.

The Magpies created some early chances, with Andy Sears-Black seeing a header cleared while Newton’s cross-cum-shot was palmed away by Cockfosters goalkeeper Josh Bradley. From the resulting corner a Greg Shaw shot was blocked and an appeal for handball was waved away.

Danny Fitzgerald wasn’t too far away after chancing his arm from 25 yards, and the chances kept coming as Harvey Scott and Reece Cameron were both unable to get the decisive touch on a Newton corner which flew across the six-yard box.

It wasn’t all one-way traffic, with Colney keeper Charlie May called into action to deal with efforts from Tobi Omotoshu and Alex Michaelides. But back came the Magpies as Bradley did well to save another long-range effort from Fitzgerald before the visitors had a goal ruled for a foul on the keeper.

Colney started the second half strongly, with Bradley making two more good saves to thwart Sears-Black. However, Cockfosters then pressed forward in search of the breakthrough, with Michaelides going close with a header before sending a shot narrowly wide.

But it was to be their opponents who scored the all-important goal, with Newton then going close to doubling his tally as he fired narrowly over after being set up by Cameron.