HARTLEY Wintney’s outside chance of gaining an automatic promotion place ended  last night following a narrow defeat at Kempston.

This coupled with wins for Rushden and Diamonds and Beaconsfield Town mean that the Row must settle for a Play off place.

There was probably a sense of foreboding for Hartley before the match.

A severe traffic congestion on the M25 delayed the arrival of many of the players and the kick-off was delayed by 15 minutes.

In addition the Row were without Jake Baxter from the starting line up and Paul Hodges was worst affected by the traffic delays.

After minimal match preparation Hartley started well and on 12 minutes James Tennant and Josh Webb combined to deliver a good cross from the left which found Jack French whose first time shot went across the face of the goal.

On 21 minutes Dean Stow tried an audacious shot from 30 yards which went narrowly over the crossbar.

With Jack French, Josh Webb and Tyron Smith dominating midfield,

Hartley pressed for the opening goal and came close on 24 minutes.

A Josh Webb corner found the head of Liam Eagle who was unlucky to see his effort cleared off the line. Rovers responded and two minutes later Jake Newman tried his luck from 25 yards which found Paul Strudley well positioned to save.

On 28 minutes against the general run of play the Rovers took the lead. A corner on the right by Luke Heneghan saw Seb Simpson and Alex Collard win the aerial tussle and the downward header was lashed into the roof of the net at point blank range by Jake Newman.

Hartley responded and on 33 minutes a corner from Josh Webb saw Jack Ball’s header cleared off the line.

The Row continued to search for the equaliser and a clever link up between Ty Smith and Webb saw the latter flick the ball into the path of Nic Ciardini in the clear.

The striker’s parting shot was well saved by home keeper Martin Conway.

Three minutes before half time the Rovers put together a good move between Ben Acquaye and Munashe Sundire which saw the latters shot bring out a good stop from Strudley.

The Rovers started the second period the brighter but were unable to test Paul Strudley. On 56 minutes Hartley had a good chance courtesy of a mishandling error by Conway.

The ball fell to Liam Eagle who was just unable to balance quickly enough and his effort was cleared off the line by a defender.

On 60 minutes it was the Rovers turn to have a good chance following a long run by Acquaye. The winger set up Heneghan who shot over when well placed.

Paul Hodges came on for Hartley on 67 minutes replacing James Tennant and almost marked his introduction with a goal a minute later. A cross from Smith saw Jack Ball set up Hodges who saw his effort blocked.

On 74 minutes Jamaine Ivy for the Rovers created a chance for himself coming in from the left but hit effort from a tight angle went across the face of the goal. A minute later a good run from Substitute Ash Fuller saw a good cross narrowly missed by the inrushing Newman.

On 79 minutes a long ball from Fuller eluded the Row defence and Newman was clean through. His fierce shot crashed off the post. Hartley finished strongly and were camped around the Rovers penalty box for the remainder of the match. However they were unable to fashion a clear opening.

A final chance came in the last minute when a cross from Nick Hutchings was headed wide by Paul Hodges.

For the Row some good play until they reached the Rovers penalty area.

Unfortunately they appeared to have left their shooting boots at home.

They finish their league campaign at home to Aylesbury and then await who they face in the play-offs.