Elston United progressed to the second round of the Nottinghamshire Senior League Cup with a hard-fought but deserved 1-0 victory over Radcliffe Olympic at Erasmus Darwin Park.

The Clams enjoyed the better of possession and chances, particularly in the first half, but needed some excellent late saves from goalkeeper Harry Johnson to secure their passage into the next round.

Elston started brightly, with James Clarke twice forcing good saves from the visiting goalkeeper, while Will Veys saw an opportunistic lob drift narrowly over the bar.

On the half-hour, Tom Hazelwood drove into the penalty area and set up Clarke, whose curling effort went just wide. At the other end, Johnson saved well following a rare Radcliffe break.

The breakthrough finally came on the stroke of half-time. Clarke's low free-kick was deflected into the path of a Radcliffe defender who, under pressure from Teddy Furman, turned the ball into his own net.

Elston lost skipper Sam Lloyd at the interval following a clash of heads, but continued to create opportunities after the restart. Furman fired narrowly wide with the goalkeeper beaten, before Ryan Fletcher's powerful drive flew over the bar.

There was a welcome return for Niall Parsons after a lengthy injury absence, and he nearly marked his comeback with a goal, curling narrowly wide.

Substitute Jacob Mulliss also threatened repeatedly, including a clever cross that almost produced a goal for the industrious Rui Thacker.

Radcliffe rallied in the closing stages, but Johnson produced two more fine saves to preserve Elston's clean sheet and seal another cup victory for The Clams.

Elston United: Harry Johnson, James Smith, Sam Lloyd (Tom Newbould 46), Archie Dillon, Ryan Fletcher, Harry Scott, Tom Hazelwood (Miles Hopewell 61), Teddy Furman (Barney Repper 76), James Clarke (Niall Parsons 70), Rui Thacker, Will Veys (Jacob Mulliss 70).