Sun Sports moved into the Premier Division Cup quarter final on Tuesday night but their 3-1 win against Hadley will be remembered for a “wonderful sporting gesture”.

Hadley thought they had taken the lead in the contest when Dom Petrucci beat Sun goalkeeper Ross Hampton with a free-kick.

However, the ball slipped through a hole in the net and a goal kick was awarded. Play continued and Sun soon had the lead through Simeon Fearon.

Sports boss Paul Hobbs explained: “I wasn’t aware the ball had gone in, from my point of view I thought it had gone wide.

“Their player went ballistic though, and their bench wasn’t happy at all. So I wandered around the pitch to my goalkeeper and asked him if the ball had gone in.

“He told me it had but by the time I got back to the dugout we had scored. So I called Ashley Lewis over and told him to let Hadley score.”

As their manager had instructed, Sun allowed Petrucci to walk the ball into the net to equalise.

Hadley boss Mickey Hazard, who wasn’t at the game, said: “It was a wonderful gesture from Sun Sports and a credit to the club, the manager and the players. There is a lot of cheating and other things going in football but they can see the bigger picture.”

Sun went on to win the game thanks to a goal from Lewis and a second-half strike from Fearon. James Armstrong’s missed penalty was not costly.

Hobbs’ side have been in excellent form this season and moved to the top of the Premier Division on Saturday.

Richard Pearce and Lewis were on target in a 2-0 win over Colney Heath.

Lewis’ displays for Sun, who face Harefield United in the FA Vase (tomorrow) Saturday, have attracted interest from Northwood and Kings Langley while a seven-day approach was made by Ware, who are in the top six of Division One of the Isthmian League, last week. However, the midfielder has told Hobbs he will remain with he club.

Kings Langley have also impressed in the Premier Division this season and they maintained their unbeaten away league record with a 3-0 win over Tring Athletic on Saturday.

Sixth-placed Kings started strongly and Luke Ladyman got the visitors off to the perfect start when he converted Alex Campana’s cross.

Langley led 1-0 at the interval but moved through the gears in the second period and goals from Campana and Dean Hitchcock completed the victory.

In Premier Division Cup action on Tuesday, Tring were beaten 4-2 on penalties by Holmer Green after the game had ended 4-4 after extra-time.

Berkhamsted did reach the quarter final of the cup after they overcame Leverstock Green 4-1 on Tuesday.

A first-half brace from BJ Christie and a goal from Adiel Mannion put Berko in control at half-time.

Ryan Upton pulled one back for Green but another strike from Mannion secured victory.

Berko slipped to second in the Premier Division on Saturday after they were beaten 2-0 by AFC Dunstable while Green lost 5-0 to St Margaretsbury.

Berkhamsted take on Kings Langley in the FA Vase tomorrow while Green are not in action.

Oxhey Jets let a half-time lead slip in their Premier Division clash with Hertford Town on Saturday and were beaten 5-2.

Lee Armitt and Eoin Casey had put Jets ahead at the break but a poor second period followed. Tommy Wade (2), Da’Jour Buffonge (2) and Sam Ruff struck for Hertford.

Jets face Tower Hamlets in the FA Vase tomorrow.