HARTLEY Wintney left it late to steal the points after a tight contest against Kempston Rovers, DAVID GRAHAM reports.

The Row started strongly and after just three minutes a Dean Stow free-kick on the left saw Adam New rise highest, but the young defender’s header went past the post.

Shortly after Hartley came even closer when a corner from Adam Everiss was headed back across the goal by Sam Argent to tee up Steve Noakes, who headed just wide.

After this the Rovers came into the game and on 17 minutes Damon Herbert set up a chance for Jake Newman and the striker saw his strong shot from 20 yards well saved by Paul Strudley.

As the game approached the half-hour mark, a corner on the left by Stow found the head of Steven Duff who saw his effort saved by Martin Conway in the Rovers goal.

Almost immediately Rovers had a chance at the other end when Sam Johnson and Jake Newman combined to create a chance for the latter. Paul Strudley was well positioned to save the striker’s effort.

Kempston started the brighter in the second period and took the lead on 53 minutes.

Ash Fuller on the left set up George Boland and the midfielder sent in a rasping drive from 25 yards which beat the diving Strudley.

The Row were finding it difficult to make an impression but had a chance on 66 minutes. Following a rare error in the Rovers defence, Paul Hodges managed to get free for a ‘one-on-one’ with Conway. The Row striker’s parting shot went just past the post.

Two minutes later Kempston sprung Hartley’s offside trap following a clever run from Fuller down the right. The winger’s cross gave Newman a chance to double the lead but the striker’s low shot was well saved by Strudley.

The Row were banging on the door and on 75 minutes Hodges created a chance for himself but saw his parting effort go straight to Conway in the Rovers goal.

A double change by Hartley saw Aaron Parfitt and Luke Perkins come on to try and salvage the match.

With a minute of normal time remaining, a spell of pressure saw the Row awarded a free-kick some 25 yards out.

Duff’s powerful shot was on target and keeper Conway was unable to hold the ball which spilled out from his grasp with the advancing Hodges following up to level the score.

The Row pressed forward in added time and forced a corner on the right.

Stow’s flag kick was only partially cleared to substitute Parfitt who sent in a fierce shot which looked to be going wide. However, Adam New in acrobatic style managed to get his head to the ball which found its way into the roof of the net.

On the fourth minute of added time the Rovers had a chance when Strudley handled the ball outside the penalty box. The free kick on the 18 yard line was blocked and cleared giving the Row an unlikely win.