Bank Holiday Monday's Premier Division review

Indeed, it turned out to be a great start to 2017 for Hitchin Town, who were the only team in the top five to win.

Leamington lost their derby at the Spencer Stadium to Banbury United, who are now seventh.

In front of a crowd of 734, the Puritans won it with virtually the last kick of the game as Mark Bell netted from close range three minutes into stoppage time.

Hitchin are second after a 3-1 success at Biggleswade Town in front of 551.

Kane Smith gave the Canaries the lead on the half-hour mark and Matt Lench added a second just five minutes later. The in-form Inih Effiong swiftly pulled the Waders back into the game two minutes after that but a second for Lench on 67 minutes won it for the visitors.

And a crucial win that proved to be too as Slough Town lost their Arbour Park derby to Chesham United and are now three points behind Hitchin.

A crowd of 918 saw Gavin James put the home side in front after 21 minutes – a lead they held at the break. Veteran Barry Hayles equalised 10 minutes into the second half, and his strike partner David Pearce quickly added a second a minute later which proved to be the winner and lift the Generals up to eighth with games in hand on most above them.

Fourth-placed Chippenham Town also failed to win, being held to a 2-2 Hardenhuish Park draw by sixth-placed Frome Town.

A crowd of 553 saw Jake Jackson put the visitors ahead after 16 minutes. Matt Smith levelled nine minutes later but they held parity for only eight minutes as Mike Bryant restored Frome`s lead – a lead they held onto until 12 minutes from time when Alex Ferguson popped up with the Bluebirds leveller.

Merthyr Town proved that possessing an artificial pitch doesn`t guarantee games being on as their home encounter with Redditch United was the only game in the division postponed due to a frozen surface!

Bottom-markers Cinderford Town are now thirteen points adrift of the safety-mark after losing 4-2 at Stratford Town.

A Mike Taylor brace on 27 and 54 minutes had the home side in command. Karnell Chambers pulled one back for the Foresters on the hour-mark, only for Edwin Ahenkorah to restore Stratford`s two-goal advantage after 70 minutes.

Callum McConie quickly pulled a second back for the visitors, but Taylor completed his hat-trick two minutes from time to make it 4-2.

Second-bottom Cambridge City looked as though they were heading for a win in their game against underachievers Kettering Town at St Ives.

The Poppies were trailing 2-1 to goals from Ryan Sharman after eight minutes and Matt Stevens seven minutes later – Liam Canavan replying on 26 minutes.

There was less than three minutes remaining when Aaron O’Connor equalised before Rene Howe grabbed a dramatic winner in stoppage time to secure the three points.

Third-bottom Hayes & Yeading United had plenty of familiar faces in their team when they travelled to Kings Langley.

Joint-managers Paul Hughes and Richie Hanlon swapped clubs to join Hayes & Yeading in November and took half their squad with them. However, one who remained, David Hutton, popped up with the only goal of the game for Kings right on the stroke of half-time.

And to complete the set, fourth-bottom St Neots Town, watched by their new manager Matt Clements, lost 1-0 at Creasey Park to mid-table Dunstable Town, for whom Vences Bola scored the only goal three minutes into the second half.

Cirencester Town are just a couple of points above the drop zone in fifth-bottom spot after losing 4-0 at the Bob Lucas Stadium to a Weymouth side whose fourth unbeaten game has lifted them eight points clear of the bottom four.

In front of 540, Jordan Copp`s quickfire brace midway through the first half gave the Terras command of the game. Then Stewart Yetton and Stuart Fleetwood added two more in the final eight minutes.

Elsewhere, King`s Lynn Town won 2-1 at The Walks against St Ives Town in front of 821 with goals from Lee Stevenson after 63 minutes and then Jacek Zielonka four minutes into stoppage time – all after the Saints had led through Dubi Ogbonna`s 22nd minute opener.

And Basingstoke Town and Dorchester Town shared a 1-1 Camrose draw in which Tom Blair`s early second minute opener was cancelled out by Sam Deadfield just shy of the hour-mark.

Follow the EVO-STIK League Southern on Twitter at @SouthernLeague1