Diamonds Lead Cut To Two Points

AFC Rushden & Diamonds` lead at the top of the Evo-Stik League South East table was cut to just two points on Saturday after they lost at Hartley Wintney and Hayes & Yeading United beat Uxbridge.

Despite taking an early 2nd minute lead in Hampshire through Ben Farrell, Diamonds were undone by a brace from Dean Stow after 32 and 60 minutes.

Hayes won the derby against Uxbridge in front of 314 with a brace from Manny Duku after 20 minutes – from the penalty spot – and 79 minutes, with Duncan Culley on 74 minutes and Laste Dombaxe 5 minutes from time adding the others.

Beaconsfield Town are level on points with Hayes in third and, like Diamonds, have played three fewer games.

They edged out Northwood by the odd goal in five at Chestnut Avenue, leading after just 2 minutes through Alex Cathline only for Jermaine Osei to level 10 minutes later.

Osei then gave Woods the lead on 36 minutes, but Reece Yorke after 51 minutes and seconds later, Tony Mendy, won it for Town.

AFC Dunstable are two points further back in fourth after demolishing bottom side Arlesey Town 7-0, meaning the Bedfordshire side have shipped 13 goals in their last two matches and 95 in total.

It was 5-0 at half-time with goals from BJ Christie and Jermaine Hall with two apiece and a Keanu Williams own goal.

Hall completed his hat-trick on the hour-mark and Terry Griffiths added a seventh on 65 minutes.

The other play-off spot is currently held by Chalfont St Peter, who could only manage a 1-1 draw at Marlow, whose Jay Welch cancelled out Jake Cass` 47th minute opener in the 5th minute of stoppage time at the end of the game!

Cambridge City, Bedford Town and outsiders Kempston Rovers could still have a say in the top six race.

City are just a point behind the Saints after a 1-0 win at St Ives against Aylesbury United, courtesy of a James Hall goal after 27 minutes.

Bedford beat early season contenders Moneyfields 3-1 at the New Eyrie, but the Eagles left it late.

It was 1-1 after Jimmy Hartley`s 6th minute opener for Bedford was levelled on the half-hour mark by Sam Pearce.

Veteran Paul Benson pounced to put the Eagles in front a minute from time and Bradley Woods-Garness added a third 8 minutes into time added on.

Kempston probably needed to beat third-bottom Fleet Town at Hillgrounds to keep in the race but had to make do with a point after trailing to an early 2nd minute Brad Wilson goal until Jake Newman equalised on the hour-mark.

Arlesey are still just about alive after second-bottom Barton Rovers lost to a goal a minute before half-time from Tom Howard for hosts Ashford Town (Middx).

Elsewhere, Hanwell Town won the basement battle at Aylesbury FC with a Calum Duffy brace and a spot-kick from Joe Chandiram, while Michael Kalu had a day to remember as he scored all three for Egham Town as they won 3-1 at Thame United, whose Lynton Goss and Dan West replied.

Source Pitchero Non League