LITTLETON reached the Les James Challenge Cup third round with a 1-0 win over Cadbury Athletic at Alvechurch.

Luke Rowlands scored a first-half winner in a hard-fought, even game with their fellow Midland League Division One high-fliers.

Littleton threatened early on when Tim Beattie broke from defence, exchanged passes and saw his effort smothered by the keeper.

Two minutes later, a long ball from keeper Haydn Whitcombe was headed on by Dane Aldington to Jamie Clarke, whose effort was saved at full stretch.

The visitors continued to press and went close following a move involving Robbie Bunn, Kyonn Evans and Aldington.

At the other end, a break down the left saw a goal-bound shot well saved by Whitcombe.

Littleton went ahead on 30 minutes when Nathan Hayward broke down the right, cut in and pulled the ball back for Rowlands to smash home from close range.

The second-half saw Cadbury exert pressure on the calm back four of Sean Cooke, Beattie, Jake Wilcox and Will Gayton but Littleton held on for victory without too many alarms.

On Saturday, they host Atherstone Town in the league (3pm).