DIDCOT'S successful footballers turned the town red after securing their place in the final of the FA Vase.

Stuart Beavon's goal clinched the Hellenic Leaguehigh-fliers a 1-0 victory away to Jarrow Roofing Boldon in the second leg of their semi-final on Saturday.

That gave the Railwaymen a 2-0 aggregate victory and a place in the final against AFC Sudbury at Tottenham Hotspur's White Hart Lane ground on Saturday, May 14.

Town boss Stuart Peace paid tribute to his team after their famous victory and said that they fully deserve their place in the limelight.

"It's a tremendous achievement. They've battled through some incredibly tough ties in this competition, and this was one of the toughest.

"But once we had scored today, we never really looked like conceding.

"My defenders were just superb, Grant Goodall was magnificent, but I thought the whole back four were on their game today - they were incredible to a man."

Peace added: "The goal that Stuart got was another of the highest quality, but I never expected anything less from him.

"He's got a big future and he showed his class today with a great finish."

Peace said that his focus will now be fully back on the league, which he has always insisted is the major goal for the season.

"We have got to a national final, which is going to give the people of Didcot a tremendous day out, but between now and then, we must be fully focussed on the league.

"Confidence will be sky high, and so it should be, and hopefully this will reflect on the pitch.

Goalscorer Beavon is delighted at the prospect of running out at White Hart Lane, following in the footsteps of his father Stuart and grandfather Cyril.

Stuart senior played for Spurs in the late 1970s, while former Oxford United player Cyril turned out for England Under 20s at White Hart Lane in 1956.

Twenty-year-old Stuart junior, said: "It's going to make my dad and grandad so proud to see me at White Hart Lane.

"It was a great feeling to score the winning goal, but I play with a quality team.

"It's the best goal I've ever scored - and definitely the most important one.

"Conners (Ian Concannon) played a great one-two with me, and when I saw it go through the keeper's legs, I just didn't know what to do to celebrate."

More than 300 supporters made the 280-mile trip from Oxfordshire, and Peace paid them a glowing tribute.

"Our support today was magnificent, and definitely made a difference.

"To hear such vocal support this far from home gave the lads a real boost and made them all the more determined to do the business on the pitch.

"This victory is just reward for them, because they have followed us home and away through this competition and May 14 will be a very special day."

Chairman John Bailey added: "It was a superb team performance throughout.

"This is reward not just for the players, but for the supporters, committee and management.

"It's a great day for the town, and I think there will be huge support for us at White Hart Lane.

"The supporters have been a credit to the club, and have been in tremendous spirit home and away.

"But the day belongs to the players. They've earned themselves a day to remember and one that will live in their memories forever."

Jarrow manager Richie McLoughlin had no complaints after watching his side bow out.

McLoughlin said: "There's no doubt the better side won. They have a great set of players and they play football in the right spirit.

"I would like to wish them all the best in the final, because they've deservedly got there.

"Obviously I'm disappointed, but over the two legs, Didcot were the better side and it would have been an injustice to them if they hadn't got through."