HARTLEY Wintney maintained their challenge at the top of the Southern League Division One East with a win over erstwhile leaders AFC Dunstable.

In a match totally dominated by defences was ultimately settled by a high quality second half goal.

Dunstable were first to settle and on six minutes a shot from Bernie Christie was pushed around the post by Paul Strudley in goal for the Row.

The remainder of the first half was non descript with neither side able to fashion a chance and the game lacking quality.

However, on the stroke of half time, a bit of quality arrived from the Row when a good cross field pass from Josh Webb found James Tennant on the left wing.

Tennant delivered a good cross which found Sam Argent who headed narrowly over at the back post.

The Row started to take an initiative at the start of the second half and on 55 minutes had a chance from a free kick 25 yards out.

Tennant took the kick which beat the wall but went just past the post.

The Row got the breakthrough on 68 minutes with a high quality goal.

Louie Paget played an accurate long pass to Sam Argent who flicked on to Paul Hodges. The striker controlled well and intelligently set up Sam Argent who clipped the ball over goalie Jamie Head.

Hartley almost extended the lead on 82 minutes with an effort from Josh Webb following good build up play between Paget and Luke Perkins.

A minute later, Dunstable had a chance following build up play involving Christie and James Bishop.

The latter’s cross found Jermaine Hall who was unable to convert with a header.

The visitors pressed during the latter stages and had a free kick chance deep into added time.

Danny Murphy took the kick which beat the Hartley wall but Paul Strudley pushed the ball around the post.

The Hartley defence who did not put a foot wrong throughout the match held on for a valuable three points.

Joint manager Anthony Millerick said: "I felt our defence played well today. AFC Dunstable were a very difficult side to play against.

"The goal was pure quality which we know our strikers are capable of scoring."

Hartley's other joint manager Daniel Brownlie added: "Our three debutants Josh Webb, Diak John and Jake Baxter when he came on all played very well.

"We are holding our own at this level and we would have been pleased at the start of the season to know we would be third at this stage. We have another difficult game on Tuesday at Egham.

"I felt we played well against the team at the top of the league and it was a good solid team performance."