Northwood ended their barren run with a first win in six games as they overcame North Division Bury Town 2-0 in the first round of the league cup on Tuesday.

Following Saturday’s 2-1 league loss at Bracknell Town in which Luke Alfano scored an injury-time consolation, manager Dean Barker made a number of changes and his decisions were rewarded as James Ewington scored a first-half brace to send Woods through.

The hosts started strongly with Ewington and striker partner Ned Clarke both going close to making the breakthrough.

The two forwards had further opportunities before Ewington made the breakthrough when he timed his run to perfection to latch onto Matt Cooper’s ball over the top and finished with ease.

Clarke then saw a close-range shot deflected over, before Bury had their best spell of the first half as Jake Chambers-Shaw, Kyran Clements and Ryan Jolland all went close but the Woods defence, well marshalled by skipper Carl Pearce, and goalkeeper Luke Sheldrick stood firm.

That defensive solidity was further rewarded shortly before the break when Ewington netted his ninth of the campaign after being set up by Kier Dickson.

Sheldrick kept out a Chambers-Shaw snap-shot in first-half injury time though, and that set the tone of what was to follow after the break with the keeper called upon to make several saves as Bury looked for a way back.

But the Northwood defence was up to the task as they recorded their second clean sheet of the season, giving themselves a much-needed confidence boost and booking their passage to the next round, where a long trip to Felixstowe & Walton awaits.