HARTLEY Wintney dug deep into the resilience tank to produce a memorable second half performance against a well organised Knaphill team, as they beat them 4-1 to move 15 points clear at the top of the Combined Counties League Premier Division.

The Row started well and Sam Argent came close on three minutes from a header following a Steven Duff cross.

Although Hartley held a slight edge they were unable to fashion a chance.

However on 24 minutes Steven Duff had a good run down the left wing and his accurate low cross saw Argent prod the ball into the net from close range.

The Knappers came into game but goalkeeper Paul Strudley was not called into action.

A potentially key moment in the game came on 42 minutes. Adam New and a home forward collided just inside the penalty box.

Referee Tom Ellesmore immediately pointed to the penalty spot much to the ire of the Row team.

Even worse was to follow as the referee after a long discussion with New produced a red card.

Steve Noakes was very disappointed with this decision and after a brief conversation with the referee received a yellow card.

Jimmy Norman took the penalty and stroked the ball into the corner of the net.

This left Hartley a man down to play the entire second half.

It was a very determined Row side that came out for the second period, feeling the sense of injustice over the penalty and subsequent sending off.

On 51 minutes and excellent build up saw Duff lift the ball over the Knappers defence.

Argent ran on and headed the ball over the advancing keeper Alex.Harris to restore the lead.

Two minutes later Hartley increased their lead. Steven Duff forced his way past two defenders down the left wing before being hauled down just inside the penalty box by Josh Watkins who received a yellow card.

Sam Argent took the penalty kick and scored comfortably to complete his hat trick (1-3).

On 58 minutes Hartley produced a move of high quality involving Jack French, Steve Laidler and Steven Duff. The final pass sent Sam Argent through and the striker having rounded the keeper was unlucky to see his shot cleared off the line by a back tracking defender.

Two minutes later Steven Duff tried a speculative lob from 30 yards which beat keeper Harris all ends up but hit the crossbar. With Hartley dominant Sam Argent fashioned a chance on 63 minutes but was unlucky to see his shot blocked.

On 66 minutes another excellent passing move straight out the top drawer saw Sam Argent feed Steven Duff down the left. The wingers looped cross found Luke Perkins at the back post who scored easily (1-4).

The home side made a rally and Charlie Postance went on a good run. His parting shot went just over the crossbar.

New signing George Hallahan came on for Sam Argent and made a good impression. He was quickly into the action and having forced his way past two defenders was thwarted by a last ditch tackle as he was about to shoot.

On 75 minutes Steven Duff saw a good effort deflected past the post as the ten men threatened to extend their lead. The final effort of the match came from the Knappers on 84 minutes when Arafat Kabuye fired a shot which went just past the post.

For the Row followers this was a Christmas treat with the team showing remarkable resilience with 10 men. The win stretches the lead at the top of the table to 15 points with several of their potential rivals dropping points Joint manager Daniel Brownlie said: "With all things considered, especially in the manner and timing of being reduced to 10 men that might just be our best performance to date this season.

"It wasn't a penalty in my view, in fact there wasn't another person in the ground that believed it was which made matters worse that the lad was then sent off.

"Under the new guidelines of the double jeopardy theory I can't find any reasoning as to why he felt that was the action to take.

"Needless to say that injustice galvanised the boys, the second half performance which was simply stunning came down to the determination to get the result. It was magnificent.

He added: "(Sam) Argent's hat-trick was another clear indicator that he is getting back to his best, Sam is already in terrific form but what's more scary for defenders across the league is that I believe he's still got another gear to shift in to.

Talking about the latest addition to his squad striker George Hallahan from Basingstoke Town.

Brownlie said: "The addition of George Hallahan is a signing we are very pleased with and I'd personally like to thank Jason Bristow for helping us with the move.

"We are looking forward to working with George he's already showed great promise, it's clear he's a talent. We are confident we can get him playing his best football, in partnership with his hard work and the players he'll be surrounded by, his development should rocket."

Hartley are next in action at home on December 27 with a home game against Badshot Lea which kicks off at 11.30am.