Andy Irvine got the only goal as Tunbridge Wells saw off a spirited Crowborough Athletic side at Culverden this afternoon.

The striker, who impressed so much in the FA Vase last season, turned home Jon Pilbeam’s cross on 40 minutes as Wells took the lead somewhat against the run of play. And that was how it would stay, with Irvine’s goal the difference between the teams.

Wells were thoroughly professional in the way they defended and saw out the game, while the Crows, for all their possession, just lacked a little bit in the final third. The visitors were also left aggrieved at a couple of penalty decisions that went against them

The biggest shout they had was in the first couple of minutes. Wayne Clarke jinked his way into the box, past two Wells defenders, before being chopped down by Lewis Mingle. However, the referee was having none of it.

The opening exchanges were just what everyone expected of this FA Vase derby – full-blooded and end to end – in front of a crowd of 1,242.

Irvine impressed from the off and gave the Crows centre-halves Tom Boddy and Jack Turner a tough time all afternoon. Some lovely build-up play from the number nine freed Ian Parsons, but his tame shot was easily gathered by Nick Collick.

Wells targeted the young goalkeeper early on with corners and crosses, but he stood up to the test well.

Irvine should have put Wells ahead on 15 minutes, but he couldn’t turn Carl Cornell’s cross home from six yards.

At the other end, the Crows looked threatening and were far from overawed. Paul Butler left fly with a half volley, while a lovely bit of skill saw Callum Ridley beat Lewis Mingle, but his cross was headed over by Luke Carpenter.

The Crows had a great chance just after the half hour, a through-ball splitting the Wells defence but Ridley, who should have gone for goal, tried playing in a cross that was cleared by Jason Bourne from in front of his goal. The ball came back to teenager Ridley, but he fired wide.

As the half went on Crowborough got more and more of the ball, with Sam Carrington looking a danger, but they never really tested Mikelle Czanner and Wells, always a threat on the counter-attack, made them pay.

Pilbeam did brilliantly down the right wing, skipped past three challenges and cut the ball across the box for Irvine to slide home, just inside the near post.

Chances were at a premium after the break, with Wells superb defensively. The battle between Carrington and the pairing of Andy Boyle and Perry Spackman, certainly caught the eye, with the home side’s defenders using all their experience to snuff out the young striker’s threat.

Wells should have made it 2-0 on 59 minutes. Irvine executed a lovely bit of skill to free Cornell, who beat the offside trap, and raced clear. However, Collick got just enough on his shot to keep it out.

At the other end, Carrington finally had a sight of goal, but drilled his low shot just wide.

The Crows wasted a half chance when Jason Barton and Carpenter went for the same ball, but neither could get a header on target, while Irvine tested Collick from distance.

The visitors, to their credit, kept pushing and had a chance right on the final whistle, but Barton’s header was cleared by Bourne on the post.