A GOOD sized crowd arrived to see evidence of a monumental effort by the Hartley Wintney Football Club committee in carrying out improvements to meet the ground grading criteria required for the next level.

A huge effort was also put in by the Hartley team on the pitch, but it was not enough to prevent the first league defeat since early December 2016 and so they will have to wait another week to clinch the league title.

Horley had the advantage of a very strong wind blowing straight down the pitch in the first half.

However, it was the Row who started the better and could have been three goals up in the first 12 minutes.

On four minutes a long throw from Marc Vockins was flicked on by Liam Eagles and Shane Hollomby’s effort was saved by Horley goalkeeper George Hyde.

After 10 minutes a free-kick on the right from Dean Stow found the head of Hollomby who was unlucky to see his effort hit the top of the crossbar.

Two minutes later, the Row again struck the frame of the goal. A long throw from Vockins was flicked on by Hollomby and Liam Eagle was unlucky to see his shot hit the post.

Horley opened the scoring on 24 minutes with their first effort on goal.

Mark Bevan found space on the left and his accurate low cross found Kyle Hough. The striker’s first effort brought out a point blank save from Paul Strudley, but he was able to score from the rebound from five yards out.

On 32 minutes, Jamie Hardwick found space in midfield for the visitors and his fierce shot from distance went narrowly over the crossbar.

The Row applied pressure approaching half time and on 36 minutes Tom Walsh found Steven Duff on the left. The winger’s parting shot went across the face of the goal.

With wind advantage the Row wasted no time in attacking the Horley goal.

After 47 minutes a long throw from Vockins was flicked on by Eagle to Hollomby who fired over from close range.

The visitors also looked dangerous from long throws. On 56 minutes a long throw from Ryan Brackpool saw the Hartley defence struggle to clear.

Adam Pullin was able to get a good shot in which Strudley did well to push around the post at full stretch.

On 65 minutes Hartley should have equalised, after Stow’s free-kick on the left found substitute Adam New, and the youngster fired over at close range.

Hartley continued to press and a Steven Duff free-kick on the right found Hollomby who saw his effort blocked on the line.

The Row attacked non stop to the end but were unable to create a clear cut opening against a well organised and resolute Horley defence.

Comments from the Hartley managers: Hartley joint manager Anthony Millerick said: “We provided poor quality with much of our delivery into the penalty box. There was a lack of guile and inventiveness in our approach play.

“For this occasion it was a pity that we had so many players out for one reason or another. Horley defended stoutly and were well organised and disciplined.”

Fellow joint manager Daniel Brownlie said: “No excuses we were not at our very best.

“All in all very disappointing especially with the huge effort put in on the ground. A win would have made it a perfect day but it was not to be.

“Westside scored three late goals to win. However we feel it is better that we win the league from our own efforts rather than rely on other results.

“We put this result behind us and try again next week to get over the line.”

Hartley will now hope to get the point they need for the title at Chertsey on Saturday.