HARTLEY Wintney extended their lead at the top of the Combined Counties to 12 points, after 3-2 victory at AFC Hayes.

Luke Perkins with a superb effort opened the scoring, as he cut in from the right to smash the ball in the top corner with his left foot.

The home side equalised, but Toby Jannaway then made it 2-1 to the Row.

Hayes again levelled things, but Steve Noakes made sure of the Hartley win with their third goal.

After the game, joint Hartley manager Daniel Brownlie said: "It was a good reaction from the boys after our midweek disappointment. The result was important to us, but so was the performance.

"Hayes made us work for all three points; we certainly had to show a bit of grit, especially when they levelled the scoring on two occasions.

"Perhaps we needed that, an opportunity to show we're still fighting for every point and to demonstrate our focus. Their were a few vultures circling ahead of that game as I think many thought we'd suffer a bit of a hangover, I am pleased to say we didn't!"

Next for the leaders is a home game against fifth placed Guildford City on Saturday and then on Tuesday night they entertain Hanworth Villa, who are third.