HARTLEY Wintney suffered a rare league defeat as they went down 4-2 at Farnham Town in the Combined Counties League Premier Division, writes David Graham.

The home side started well on a very bumpy Memorial Ground pitch, but it was league leaders who had the first chance when Steve Noakes saw his header blocked after five minutes.

Farnham held the edge and Hartley had a let off on ninth minute, when Matt Glass had a good run down the right and his low cross was just missed by two incoming forwards.

Hartley took the lead after 31 minutes, as Dean Stow picked the ball up just outside the penalty box and his shot went over Matt Petts in the Farnham goal.

A minute later, Liam Eagle got in a brave last ditch block from a shot by Glass.

Then just before half-time Farnham levelled as a long kick out from goalkeeper Petts deceived the Row defence and Glass ran through unchallenged to shoot past Craig Atkinson.

There was still time before the break for Sam Argent to see a shot blocked on the line after Shane Hollomby outjumped the home goalkeeper Hartley started the second half brightly and Adam Everiss saw his shot tipped over by Petts, and from the resulting corner Stow's header was saved.

On the 49 minute mark, Hartley had a great chance to take the lead when a good flowing move saw Adam Everiss shoot straight at Petts.

Soon after, Argent saw a good shot blocked as the Row pressed to regain the lead.

However, it was Farnham who took the lead on the hour as Glass found space on the left side of the penalty box and his shot went into the net off Atkinson’s left hand post.

Two minutes later, Farnham extended their lead to 3-1 as Atkinson failed to control the ball outside the penalty area and Glass nipped in and took the ball around the goalkeeper to slot into the empty net.

In the 77th minute, Liam Eagle hauled down a Farnham forward from behind in the penalty box and received a straight red card being the last defender. Glass stepped up and easily scored from the penalty spot.

The 10 man Hartley team made a spirited response and on 82 minutes Argent fired home from close range after a good move down the right Towards the end of the game Atkinson produced three good saves from close range shots.

Hartley joint manager Daniel Brownlie said: "It was a poor result and an even poorer performance. I think we made more mistakes in that one game than we have across the entire season.

"Certainly not reflective of the current form having kept five clean sheets since the turn of the year. We'll consider it a wake up call and a small stain in what has been an impressive start to 2016."

He added: "With no game on Tuesday it gives us a chance to regroup, refocus and concentrate on Saturday's game at home to Knaphill.

"Another tough test for the boys with Knaphill being arguably our toughest opponents to date despite narrowly beating them 1-0. I know the boys will be ready to put a shift in."