AFC Dunstable Close The Gap At The Top

The gap at the top of the Evo-Stik League South East table was cut to three points after leaders AFC Rushden & Diamonds were held at home by lower mid-table Marlow and second-placed AFC Dunstable`s 2-0 home win over Aylesbury FC on Saturday.

In front of a crowd of 453, Diamonds kept a seventh home clean sheet but were unable to score against hardworking Marlow at Hayden Road.

AFC Dunstable beat the Moles with a brace from Jermaine Hall after 32 and 62 minutes.

Beaconsfield Town are third, but only on goal difference and with a game in hand on AFC Dunstable, after winning 3-1 at Honeycroft against Uxbridge.

And they had to come from being a 19th minute Harry Tucker goal behind to win, courtesy of Alex Cathline after 42 minutes, Goldy Capela on 51 minutes and new signing Tre Mitford, who came off the bench to make it 3-1 in the 68th minute.

Just a point separates Cambridge City, Moneyfields and Hayes & Yeading United in the remainder of the top six.

Both City and the Moneys were inactive due to waterlogged pitches, but Hayes & Yeading were 3-0 home winners over Kempston Rovers, who have dropped out of contention and are now eleventh, seven points behind the play-off places.

Manny Duku bagged a brace for Hayes & Yeading in the 42nd minute and then 2 minutes into stoppage time at the end of the game after Ismael Ehui had scored the second on 53 minutes.

Seventh-placed Ashford Town (Middx) dropped to six points behind the top six after losing 2-1 at Thame to second-bottom Aylesbury United.

Ollie Hogg broke the deadlock to give the Ducks the lead 7 minutes into the second half from the penalty spot, only for Max Webb to equalise within 2 minutes.

But Jack Wood popped up 5 minutes from time to earn the Ducks a crucial win.

Hartley Wintney are eighth, but have games in hand and won 2-0 at home to Bedford Town on Saturday.

Rowan Vine broke the deadlock 2 minutes after the break and Paul Hodges made sure for the Hampshire side 20 minutes from time.

Bottom-markers Arlesey Town picked up only their eighth point from twenty-four matches in a 0-0 home draw with Fleet Town, while there was an important win for Barton Rovers, who moved up to fourth-bottom after beating Chalfont St Peter 2-1 at Mill Meadow.

Charlie Jones gave last season`s play-off finalists a 16th minute lead that Jimmy Hartley quickly doubled 3 minutes later.

All the Saints could muster in response was a last-minute Ben Ward-Cochrane effort.

The day`s other game saw Egham Town and Northwood share a 2-2 draw at the Runnymede Stadium.

Wilson Chingoka gave Woods a 22nd minute lead that Matt Woods eventually cancelled out 5 minutes after half-time.

Brendan Matthew then put the Sarnies ahead in the 74th minute, but an 89th minute Mahlondo Martin effort salvaged a point for the visitors.

Source Pitchero Non League / Steve Wintney