THE hard work of the Hartley Wintney ground staff on the pitch over two days was rewarded when the game was given the go ahead with four hours to spare.

In a similar vein the team were made to work very hard to secure an important victory with two very late goals against a well organised Thame side.

The Row started the brighter and after a spell of pressure Dean Stow set up Paul Hodges who drew a good save from Thame keeper Craig Hill.

The visitors first chance arrived on 20 minutes when they were awarded a free kick 20 yards from goal. Liam Tack’s effort lacked power and was easily saved by Paul Strudley in the Hartley goal.

Thame came into the game but were unable to create a chance. However on 28 minutes Liam Tack had a chance and his effort from a difficult angle was cleared out in front of the goal by Dean Stow.

Hartley started the second half well but it was Thame who had the first effort on 53 minutes.

Ben Sturgess made space in the Hartley half and his pass saw Aston Goss have a full blooded shot beaten out by Strudley. Two minutes later a long free kick from Dean Stow saw the visitors defence struggle to clear and Paul Hodges following in shot wide.

Thame had a chance to open the scoring on 61 minutes.

Liam Tack made good progress on the right and his cross found Ben Sturgess. The strikers well hit shot brought out a good diving save from Strudley.

A Hartley break away six minutes later almost produced a goal when Paul Hodges set up Josh Webb who fired wide. The Row started to exert some pressure and the visitors were fortunate not to concede a bizarre goal on 69 minutes. Keeper Hill rushed from his line to clear and the ball which hit one of his defenders. It then looped over the stranded keeper and went just past the post.

Four minutes later Nic Ciardini managed to get beyond the Thame defence but his effort was saved by Hill.

The visitors responded and on 75 minutes Liam Tack had a snap shot well saved by Strudley.

The Row finished the stronger and on 87 minutes opened the scoring.

A free-kick was awarded to the right of the penalty box. Nic Ciardini elected to put the ball under the Thame wall and Jake Baxter was alert to touch the ball home at the near post.

On 90 minutes Hartley added a second goal with a quality move.

Dec Shuttleworth headed the ball out to the left to find James Tennant. Tennant spotted a run by Paul Hodges and delivered an accurate 30 yard cross field pass.

Hodges took it in his stride, outstripped the Thame defence before rounding Hill and shooting into the unguarded goal. (2-0).

There was still time for the visitors to have one last effort. Good interplay on the edge of the Row box led to a shot from Lynton Goss whose shot took a big deflection and went just past the post.

Joint manager Daniel Brownlie said: "I do not think this was a 'smash and grab' win. Overall I felt we were good value for the points.

"I felt Jake Baxter showed good instinct to put himself in the position for scoring the first goal. Both the substitutes made a difference tonight."

He added: "The team still has a winning mentality despite the poor result on Saturday. We have trust in our players to give a response when needed.

"In terms of the league this is a massive win. With several of the clubs at the top of the league still to play one another it is still all to play for."

The win means that Hartley Wintney require five points from their last five games to reach the play offs.

This starts on Saturday with a visit from Uxbridge and then on Tuesday night they are in Aldershot Senior Cup action against Farnham in a semi-final clash.