HARTLEY Wintney maintained their Southern League Division One East play-off aspirations with a 2-2 draw on the south coast against fellow contenders Moneyfields.

The game was played in the most difficult of conditions with players having to contend with a strong freezing wind and a difficult surface.

Hartley had the wind advantage in the first half.

Moneyfields first chance arrived on five minutes when an effort from Conor Bailey went wide. However, it was the Row who went ahead on 14 minutes. A flowing move gave Steven Duff a chance and his shot brought out a good save from Steven Mowthorpe in the home goal at the expense of a corner. From Dean Stow’s flag kick Steven Duff headed powerfully into the net from 12 yards.

Two minutes later Paul Hodges set up Nic Ciardini who saw his effort go wide. The Moneys responded and Conor Bailey created space for a shot which brought out a good save from Freddie Gee in the Row goal. On 25 minutes Louie Paget sent in a cross cum shot from the left which Mowthorpe did well to push over. Approaching half time the home side had a good spell of pressure. Conor Bailey created a chance for striker Sam Pearce who fired wide.

Then Pearce had a headed chance from a right wing cross but was unable to generate enough power and Gee saved easily.

Almost immediately Pearce was through with a one on one with Gee which the Row custodian won.

However it was third time lucky for Pearce on the stroke of half time when he rose unchallenged to head home a left wing free kick.

The Moneys had the wind advantage in the second half but it was the Row who had the first effort on goal.

Dean Stow made good progress into the Moneys half and set up Nic Ciardine who saw his effort saved by Mowthorpe.

Hartley regained the lead on 55 minutes with a goal of quality.

Louie Paget started the move with a good pass to Steven Duff who made good progress down the left wing.

His cross to the back post found Nic Ciardini who headed down into the path of Paul Hodges who chested down and fired into the net from 12 yards.

Hartley retained the initiative and on 68 minutes a right wing cross found Steven Duff who saw his shot go wide.

The Moneys responded and Joe Briggs made a chance for himself on 74 minutes coming in from the right. His strong shot found Gee well positioned to save.

With the home side pushing forward the Row had a number of promising chances from breakaways.

On 83 minutes Jack French set up Nic Ciardini who saw his effort saved by Mowthorpe.

A minute later Jake Baxter cleverly set up Nic Ciardini for a run in on goal. The striker managed to round the home keeper but delayed his shot allowing Mowthorpe time to recover.

The Row were left to rue the missed chances when on 86 minutes the home side equalised. A long pass found its way through the Row defence to Steve Hutchings who was offside.

The striker made no effort to get the ball but Harley Ridge ran past him and saw his shot blocked. The ball rebounded to Hutchings who saw his first effort blocked by back tracking defenders but he made no mistake at the second attempt.

In added time the Row pushed forward and Jack French set up Nic Ciardini who saw his effort saved by Mowthorpe.

After the game, joint manager Anthony Millerick said: “I suppose it is a reasonable result under the circumstances. The conditions definitely were always going to suit Moneyfields direct style of play.

“We had enough chances to win comfortably. It is encouraging that we created as many chances as we did.

“Despite the conditions and surface I thought we played well and the whole team individually played well also.

“The equalising goal had a suspicion of offside. However we must accept the decision and there is nothing we can do about it now.”

Next for Hartley is a mouth watering game at home against leaders Rushden and Diamonds on Saturday.