Stotfold, from the UCL were a useful side, but Halstead can have few complaints.

The opposition was quite beatable, but did not have to work very hard for their first-half goals, despite the home defence having decent games and letting little through to keeper Paul Wood.

Halstead opened briskly with a fine Danny Rowell and San Lee move ending with Stotfold keeper Brad Gillham out to hold Barefield's cross as the opening exchanges went Halstead's way.

It was completely against the run of play when Stotfold took a 13th-minute lead, Rowell being penalised for a challenge on Scott Rennie and Paul Donnelly strolling up to bang home the resultant spot kick.

This success spurred on the UCL outfit to better things, but it was Halstead who looked more dangerous, although both Chris Bryan and Steve Daly were unable to take opportunities.

Barefield took a Craig Newman pass to hit the target, only to be ruled out for offside, but it was mighty close.

Five minutes before the interval Stotfold increased their lead when Callum Donnelly took advantage of hesitation between defender Tom Devaux and Wood to lob into an unguarded goal.

Halstead resumed strongly down the slope and looked to have cut the arrears quickly when Barefield broke clear to beat keeper Gillham, only for referee Ben Wright to incur the wrath of the home fans by taking play back to where Stuart Lockhead had been injured earlier in the move.

Further home pressure saw Colin Shambrook clear off the line from Daly, before Halstead finally cut the arrears after 73 minutes when Daly headed home a cross from Rowell.

Stotfold replied with a couple of corners, but were content to play possession football to thwart their hosts. Halstead might well have grabbed the equaliser inside the last five minutes when Bryan broke clear with only the keeper to beat, but was well off target.

Halstead Town: Wood; Joslin, Rowell (Harper 80), Falla, Devaux, Pollard, Newman, Daly, Bryan, Barefield, San Lee (Austin 65). Subs (not used): Rayner, Crumpen.