HARTLEY Wintney maintained their late season surge in trying to secure an automatic promotion position.

An opportunist goal from Paul Hodges and a faultless display from the Row central defenders ensured the points went back to Green Lane.

The first half was a dull affair with both defences well on top.

On 12 minutes a long free-kick from Nick Hutchings gave Jack Ball and Nic Ciardini opportunities but their efforts were blocked.

The nearest the home side came to scoring was a free kick just outside the penalty box which was blocked.

Approaching half time Nic Ciardini and Steven Duff combined well with the latter’s parting shot going across the face of the goal.

The second period continued much in the same pattern. However what few chances that came along fell to the Row.

On 56 minutes Nic Ciardini set up Paul Hodges who saw his effort blocked and Adam Everiss fired the rebound well wide.

A minute later, Nick Hutchings and Paul Hodges almost breached the home defence before being edged out by solid defensive work.

The breakthrough came on 76 minutes. A free-kick was awarded to the Row some 25 yards out.

Dean Stow’s shot was not held cleanly by Ashford keeper Tyler Tobin and Paul Hodges showed opportunistic instinct to follow in and head home.

Ashford responded and two minutes later a long free kick led to a fierce drive from 20 yards by Mitch Gough which was deflected wide.

Paul Hodges had another chance for Hartley when he broke clear of the home defence.

However he was held up by Tobin and covering defenders managed to get back to clear.

On 87 minutes Steven Duff and Nic Ciardini combined well and Tobin was well positioned to save the latter’s effort.

Hartley held on comfortably thanks to faultless displays from centre backs Liam Eagle and Jack Ball.

In preserving another clean sheet they also ensured a clean pair of goal keeping gloves. Paul Strudley did not have a single worthwhile shot to save in the entire match.

The Row remain on the heels of top two Rushden and Diamonds and Beaconsfield.

Next up for Hartley is league trip to Kempston on Tuesday night.

Joint manager Anthony Millerick said: "It was a game of very limited chances. Ashford's formation was very defensive and they set out to frustrate us.

"I was pleased with the way the team showed patience, maintained concentration and kept their discipline.

"We knew that playing Ashford was always going to be a battle and I felt we won that battle."

Last Thursday, Hartley produced an admiral performance to sink Fleet 2-0 and propel themselves into third position in the league.

A good crowd of 214 turned up to watch the Hart ‘el classico’ derby match between the two near neighbours.

The Row fired an early shot across the bow when Paul Hodges combined with Steven Duff on three minutes and the latter was unlucky to see his effort deflected wide.

The Row dominated the early stages but without testing the impressive Liam Beach in the visitors goal.

However, on 19 minutes Hartley set course for victory by opening the scoring.

Captain Dean Stow made ground on the right before feeding Paul Hodges to set up Jake Baxter who fired home from the edge of the box.

Fleet came into the game and on 32 minutes delivered a broad side to the Hartley goal.

A corner from Bradley Wilson found the head of Ross Ewan who saw his effort tipped over by Paul Strudley in the Row goal.

Having weathered the storm Hartley responded and on 42 minutes a good cross from Jake Baxter found the head of Nic Ciardini whose effort went over the bar.

Fleet Town started at full steam ahead and on 50 minutes they gave their followers something to cheer.

A free-kick on half way by Callum Abraham- Barlow was delivered into the Row area and after a scramble Matt Bunnion forced the ball home from close range.

However, the celebrations were cut short by the flag of the assistant referee for offside.

Hartley responded and a minute later a good run and cross from Steven Duff was just missed by Jake Baxter.

In another minute there were calls for referee Bhupinder Gill to be walking the plank.

A pass forward was headed on by Steven Duff and appeared to hit a defender on its way through to Nic Ciardini.

The Hartley striker scored easily but the goal was disallowed for offside.

It was all hands to the pump for Fleet as the Row got on top and on 64 minutes a cross from the left from Steven Duff saw both Jake Baxter and Nic Ciardini going close to converting.

Three minutes later, Dean Stow made good progress down the right and his cross saw Nic Ciardini bring out a save from Beach.

On 72 minutes Paul Hodges set up Josh Webb on the edge of the box. The midfielder’s fierce drive took a deflection which saw Jake Baxter just unable to convert.

The striker injured himself with the attempt and was helped off the field of play to be replaced by James Tennant.

On 75 minutes a Fleet raiding party almost had some joy when Ashley Lloyd found space and saw his powerful shot take a deflection. Paul Strudley did well to re-adjust and save.

On 80 minutes the Row moved into calmer waters. Initially Paul Hodges did well to set up James Tennant who saw his effort saved well by Beach at the expense of a corner. Steven Duff’s flag kick from the right found the head of Jack Ball whose downward header bounced over Beach and into the net.

Hartley cruised home with the three points duly delivered.

The man of the match award from sponsor’s BEMS Ltd was presented to Paul Hodges.

Joint manager Anthony Millerick said: "I felt we controlled the game for the most part. Fleet were dangerous from set pieces with their tall strikers.

He added: "We felt we had to move the ball quickly against Fleet and keep possession. Derby games can be unpredictable but I felt we put in a professional performance."