HARTLEY Wintney remain in the play-off slots after a sparkling performance as they beat visiting league leaders Rushden and Diamonds 2-1.

However it was the Diamonds who made the perfect start with a goal on just three minutes.

A throw on the right caught the Row defence out and Joel Gyasi fed through to unmarked Ben Farrell who smashed the ball home from just inside the penalty box.

Hartley responded well and a minute later Nic Ciardini was able to get in a shot which was saved by Diamonds goalkeeper Ben Heath.

The home side remained in the ascendancy and Paul Hodges set up Jack French who saw his effort saved by Heath.

On 18 minutes the Diamonds struggled to clear a set piece and Heath under pressure from Jake Baxter and Jack Ball was unable to clear and relieved to see a defender kick the ball off the line. Three minutes later a slip in the Diamonds defence allowed Nic Ciardini through.

Heath did well to block and Paul Hodges saw his follow up shot blocked.

Hartley had a good chance on 28 minutes when a cross from Josh Webb found Jack Ball unmarked. However the central defender was unable to keep his header down and the ball went over the bar. In a rare Rushden attack a Luke Fairlamb cross was headed wide by Ryan Robbins.

The Row resumed on the attack and the long overdue equaliser arrived on 32 minutes.

Steven Duff was pushed some 25 yards from goal.

Dean Stow stepped up and his free kick found the corner of the net giving Heath no chance.

Hartley resumed on the attack and on 34 minutes a long free-kick from Stow found the head of Liam Eagle who was unable to direct his header beyond Heath.

Three minutes before the break the Diamonds had a let off when a dangerous cross from Steven Duff saw Sam Brown do well to get in front of Paul Hodges and direct his header wide of his own goal.

A minute later a Steven Duff corner found the head of Liam Eagle who saw his effort go wide.

The early part of the second period saw little action until on the 53rd minute a good move down the left from the Row gave Steven Duff a chance.

The winger’s shot from a difficult angle crashed off the outside of the post. A minute later Duff was again involved in teeing up Josh Webb who saw his effort saved by a well positioned Heath.

However Hartley’s pressure was finally rewarded on 58 minutes.

A corner on the right from Duff saw Liam Eagle soar highest and his goal bound header was blocked with a defenders hand. Dean Stow took the penalty and made no mistake with a powerful shot.

The Diamonds responded well and on 61 minutes Spencer Weir-Daly set up Tom Lorraine who fired wide.

Four minutes later a cross from Fairlamb found Lorraine who shot past the post when well placed.

A breakaway on 69 minutes gave the Row a chance and a Jake Baxter pass found Ciardini who shot wide.

A minute later Ciardini was able to deliver a powerful shot which Heath managed to divert round the post at full stretch.

Diamonds made a late surge to save the game and a delivery from Liam Dolman found Lorraine at the back post.

However, the striker was unable to direct his header and the ball went wide. The Row had a short spell of pressure and Duff corner saw an Eagle header blocked.

In the 90th minute Luke Fairlamb went down in the penalty box and there were claims for a penalty. Referee Stephen Bates noticed it was a dive and Fairlamb was booked. The Row held on for a well merited win.

For Hartley many excellent performances within a top class team performance.

Notably Dean Stow for the two goals and Jack French in midfield.

However Jack Ball hardly put a foot wrong in defence all afternoon and picked up man of the match from today’s match sponsors BEMS Ltd.

Hartley Wintney joint manager Anthony Millerick said: “We have shown all season that we can compete against good sides and get wins. This point was emphasised again today.

“The team showed tremendous character on their response to conceding the early goal.”

He added: “We played a lot of good football against a very good team and felt we more than deserved the win.

“There were so many good performances today both as a team and as individuals.

“We will enjoy the win tonight. However we must quickly re-set and re-focus on another important match at home on Tuesday against Aylesbury.”