HARTLEY Wintney travelled to Northwood looking to maintain their position in the Southern League play-off places.

In the end they provided their hosts with plenty of Christmas presents and also left behind the three points, as they were beaten 3-1.

In the Row’s first attack Rowan Vine and Paul Hodges combined well down the left.

The latter’s cross found Jake Baxter who shot over.

The home side came into the game helped by some hesitant defending and took the lead on 15 minutes.

Hartley were unable to clear their lines on the left side of defence and the impressive Tayshan Hayden-Smith set up Harry Newman whose shot from just inside the penalty box found the corner of the net.

On 23 minutes, Josh Webb and Rowan Vine combined well down the left and the low cross found Paul Hodges who shot past when well placed.

A minute later the Row found themselves two down. Very loose play in midfield by Hartley allowed the ball to find Wilson Chingoka.

The midfielder tried his luck from around 30 yards. The shot was parried high into the air by Row goalkeeper Chris Harris.

However, the ball dropped down behind him and went into the goal.

The Row responded well and pulled a goal back three minutes later.

A corner from Josh Webb was played low to Paul Hodges who turned and sent a low cross into the path of Callum Eagle who made no mistake at the back post.

On 32 minutes, Harry Newman almost extended the Woods lead when he got between Louie Paget and Chris Harris and his shot went narrowly wide.

Three minutes before the break the Row had a real let off after they broke up an attack down the right. With no Woods players seemingly involved a mix up between the defenders saw the ball go just wide of the goal for a corner.

The hosts had the first chance of the second half on 48 minutes when a cross from Harry Newman on the left was headed wide by Hayden-Smith.

Then 10 minutes later, Liam Eagle flicked on a long throw, which saw Paul Hodges head just wide.

Four minutes later, Hartley had a chance to equalise.

A throw from Callum Eagle found Paul Hodges who turned his defender and was then pulled down inside the penalty area.

Dean Stow struck the spot kick well, but Xavi Comas guessed right and parried the shot out.

On 64 minutes, Jake Baxter sent a good cross into the penalty box which saw Callum Eagle set up brother Liam who fired wide when well placed.

At the other end the Woods almost caught the Row out with a short corner which was deflected to safety.

Hartley were relying heavily on a series of long throws to get the equaliser.

Substitute Adam Everiss saw his throw cause a melee in front of the Woods goal which resulted in the ball being cleared off the line.

After 71 minutes a good break down the right by the Woods left a chance for Lewis Ochoa who seen his shot go just past the post.

The Row had a chance to equalise when Jake Baxter got in behind the Woods defence. His powerful shot found Comas well positioned and he beat the effort out.

Five minutes from the end the Woods made the game safe. Hartley tried to play the ball across the back four in order to launch an attack.

The final pass to Callum Eagle was short and Harry Newman intercepted.

As the winger entered the penalty box he was hauled down by Liam Eagle and referee Jon Creswick pointed to the spot. Mahlondo Martin took the kick and seen his effort well parried by Harris.

However, Martin following in was able to convert.

The match was possibly the Row’s poorest display of the season.

They will be looking to bounce back for Boxing Day (3pm) and the visit of Marlow.