HARTLEY Wintney’s winning run in 2018 came to an end after they lost 1-0 to visiting second placed Beaconsfield Town.

In front of 135 spectators, the visitors started strongly and on three minutes the first effort arrived when Bajram Pashaj created space for a shot which found Hartley custodian Paul Strudley well placed to save.

Hartley struggled to get the ball out of their own half and fell behind on nine minutes to the most fortunate of goals. A free kick on the left by Scott Cousins saw the Row struggle to clear. As the ball continued across the face of the goal a Hartley defender reacted quickest and smashed out a clearance.

Unfortunately, for the Row the ball hit the unsuspecting Alex Cathline of the Rams and the ball cannoned back into the roof of the net.

The visitors continued to dominate and on 16 minutes a flowing move gave Andre Costa a chance. His well struck shot saw Paul Strudley tip over the bar.

Hartley’s first effort finally arrived on 22 minutes when Louie Paget and Jake Baxter combined well on to see the latter’s shot saved by Rams keeper Ravan Constable with his feet.

Five minutes later, the Row had a scare when Strudley rushed from his area to make a clearance. His kick found Beaconsfield’s Aaron Minhas whose shot from distance at the unguarded goal went narrowly past the post.

On 29 minutes, with Hartley starting to get more of the play, Josh Webb fired wide from the edge of the box after a free-kick by Nic Ciardini.

Mush of the play became scrappy and it was not until just before the half time break that Josh Webb and Rowan Vine combined to see the latter’s shot saved by a well positioned Constable.

Both sides struggled to produce any fluent football at the beginning of the second half as underfoot conditions became more challenging.

However on 50 minutes the Row created a chance when Josh Webb set up Jack French who saw his effort saved by the well positioned Constable.

On 65 minutes the worm finally turned. After toiling for much of the game the Row finally got a stranglehold on the game. A fluent move saw Jack French set Jake Baxter through with a one on one with Constable. The Row striker elected to lob the outrushing goalie but could only watch as the ball hit the outside of the post.

The Rams had a chance on 69 minutes from a right wing corner when Jordan Arjaniekoko rose highest and his effort went narrowly wide.

However the Row went down to the other end and had an appeal for a penalty when Rowan Vine went down in the area. The claim was turned down but almost immediately Steven Duff following up saw his effort go narrowly past the post.

On 71 minutes Paul Hodges and Louie Paget combined well down the right and the latter’s accurate cross was headed narrowly over by Rowan Vine.

Hartley continued to press and on 81 minutes they were awarded a free kick. Dean Stow’s kick beat the wall and Rams goalkeeper Constable spilled. Rowan Vine following in saw his effort hit the post and Jake Baxter’s second effort was scrambled clear.

Three minutes later, another good chance presented itself when Rowan Vine set up Jake Baxter who shot across the face of the goal when well placed.

A series of corners and long throws from the Row were parried by the resolute Rams defence until the 90th minute.

An Adam Everiss corner on the left found the head of Liam Eagle who was unlucky to see his powerful header crash off the post and cleared.

Hartley will reflect on missing three golden chances in the second half in a game of very few chances.

After the game joint manager Dan Brownlie said: "It was a disappointing way to lose. With the goal I know was a complete fluke, but we did have a few chances to clear before it reached that position.

"Beaconsfield are a good side but I felt they created very little. Dean Stow and Liam Eagle both played well in the centre of defence, They stopped most threats and looked comfortable throughout.

He added: "We had three great chances to score and somehow we must try and improve our conversion rate of chances to goals. Unlike the Combined Counties League days, chances are less frequent and defences are tighter in the Evo-Stik League.

"We played better in the last 25 minutes. Although we cannot expect the team to play with this intensity for 90 minutes it is a shame we did not start playing well sooner."

This weekend, Hartley are away at Barton and then on Tuesday night travel to Thame.