Biggleswade United suffered their eighth consecutive defeat in Saturday's FA Vase tie at the hands of Stanway Rovers who progressed to the third round with a somewhat flattering 3-0 win at Second Meadow.

It was the Ridgeon Eastern Counties League side's first ever visit to Biggleswade who conceded two penalties and then had keeper Adam Lawrence red carded 11 minute from the end.

With Andre Maltay at a Christening and Damon Hazelwood suspended, United's were slightly lightweight although they had a good opening spell and matched the Essex visitors for the majority of the half which was played out between the two penalty areas.

However with 20 minutes gone, Luke Jones missed a challenge on Stanway striker Luke Callender in a central position and while his shot was blocked back to him by keeper Lawrence, Ben Stocker played a sweeping role and cleared to safety off his own goalline.

Luke Lincoln then shot high and wide when teammates were available to him but as the half was petering-out, in the 44th minute a quick break by the Rovers saw their leading scorer Sam Newson impeded by the luckless Jones inside the area whereupon Midlands official Mr Upton immediately pointed to the spot from where Newson gave Lawrence no chance for 1-0.

Moments earlier Callender had headed against United's crossbar while at the other end, Stanway's keeper Michael Church threw up a gloved hand to deny United's Sean Murray what looked to be a certain equaliser.

And as the two sides left the field, it didn't appeared to be a good omen as Biggleswade's players began arguing among themselves.

Fortunately the new half started with more purpose, Dan Gaskin being held by a defender on the edge off the area and, while a penalty looked a distinct possibility, the resulting free kick was squandered by Luke Lincoln.

Despite having the lion's share of possession, United were shot shy. They made three substitutions which gave them a slightly different perspective and they enjoyed something of a purple patch without really threatening.

The three-man switch failed to bring a deserved equaliser and with 77 minutes gone, poor defending and an angled shot from Callender doubled Stanway's advantage.

Then two minutes later Lawrence had a rush of blood to the head as he rushed out to bring Newson down. And having been shown the obligatory red card, Luke Lincoln volunteered to take over between the posts but his first touch while wearing the jersey was to pick Newson's successful spot kick from the back of his net.

So down to ten men for the last 11 minutes and now playing for pride, United could find no way through the Essex side's rearguard and they finally bowed out of the competition without a whimper.