Ardley United reached the final of the Bluefin Sports Challenge Cup for the third season running with a hard fought 2-1 victory at Rayners Lane on Tuesday night.

Kevin Brock’s side will face either Ascot United or Flackwell Heath at Didcot Town on Bank Holiday Monday, May 4.

The visitors went ahead after just six minutes.

A high ball from Ollie Stanbridge picked out Conor Ingram whose shot found the net, despite Rayners keeper Rory Mullane getting a hand to it.

Ardley increased their lead on 15 minutes.

A free-kick from Diego Petriaggi headed against a post by Chris Jackson, but Jon Gardner fired in the rebound from close range.

Ardley almost increased their lead after 29 minutes, but Mullane robbed Luke Ingram as he was about to pull the trigger.

Rayner’s Lane proved a much tougher proposition after the break, with Jamal Stewart and Reece Chaudry going close.

Seven minutes from time, the hosts pulled one back.

Although Harding parried Zeon Thomas’s shot from a wide angle, Thomas put the ball back across goal for Chaudry to score from close range.

Ingram almost made it 3-1, but his attempted lob went over.

Emmanuel Sam was close to equalising in time added on, but Harding caught his far post header as Ardley held on.

On Saturday, Brock’s side slipped to seventh place in the Premier Division after a 3-0 defeat at Thame United.

The visitors went behind on 18 minutes in bizarre fashion.

Harry Brock whipped the ball off Conor McDonagh, but only succeeded in lobbing it over keeper Harding for an own goal.

Captain Adam Morris increased Thame’s lead in the 29th minute with a 20-yard shot, which beat Harding at his near post.

Thame went further ahead on 65 minutes when McDonagh fired home a penalty after being brought down.

Ardley’s misery was completed a minute from time when Dan West headed in.